Cyclist rushed to hospital after terrifying high-speed fall into ravine at Giro d'Italia
CYCLIST Alessio Martinelli suffered a terrifying high-speed crash that saw him fall into a ravine during stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia.
Martinelli, who rides for VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizane, slipped on the wet road midway through the stage to San Valentino.
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The 24-year-old Italian was heading downhill with 110km to go in the stage when the slippery conditions saw his bike give way beneath him.
Martinelli tumbled to the tarmac and began to slide on the surface towards the side of the road, where he then plummeted into a ravine.
Fortunately no other rider was involved in the crash, while Martinelli also avoided a collision with roadside barriers as he slid off the surface.
Pictures later showed a group of medics and emergency staff recovering Martinelli from the ravine on a stretcher.
His team later confirmed he was was taken to hospital, thankfully revealing he is conscious and in a stable condition.
A statement read: "Martinelli, victim of a fall, was transported to the hospital.
"He is currently conscious and his condition is stable. Further updates on his health will be communicated during the day."
Elsewhere Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider Primoz Roglic has abandoned the race after he suffered another crash.
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Roglic claimed he was "fighting for survival" ahead of stage 16 after he had crashed last week.
The Slovenian, who hadn't been able to ride his bike since his first fall, took another tumble today due to the wet conditions - resulting in him deciding to abandon the race.
Brit Josh Tarling, 21, has also been forced to abandon after he took a heavy crash into a barrier in the wet conditions.
Tarling, Roglic and Martinelli will both need to reassess their conditions in the coming weeks as they look ahead to July's Tour de France.
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