Another serious mass crash overshadowed the second stage of the Giro d'Italia on the detour into Bulgaria and even caused the race to be temporarily interrupted. 23 kilometres before the finish in Veliko Tarnovo, around 35 professional cyclists went down in a bend. The UAE team was particularly badly affected by the crash. Jay Vine had to abandon the race after hitting the crash barrier, while his team-mate and co-favourite Adam Yates got back on his bike covered in blood.
Uruguayan Guillermo Thomas Silva took the stage win after 221 kilometres, winning by a wafer-thin margin ahead of German Florian Stork in the sprint. Earlier, top favourite Jonas Vingegaard had launched an attack on the final climb and torn the peloton apart. However, the small leading group was caught again. By winning the stage, Silva also took the overall winner's pink jersey from the French stage winner Paul Magnier.
Heavy rain in places made conditions difficult on Saturday. There had already been a heavy mass crash at the finish sprint on the opening stage the day before. Around 650 metres before the finish, several riders crashed, leaving only a small group to decide the victory among themselves.
Last Bulgarian stage to Sofia
On Sunday, the Giro bunch reaches the Bulgarian capital Sofia. A bunch sprint is expected after 175.2 kilometres. However, the sprinters must first master the Borovez Pass, a second category mountain. After a rest day, the Giro will then continue in Italy on Tuesday.
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