Massive crash neutralizes Giro d'Italia Stage 6. Kaden Groves sprints to victory, Mads Pedersen stays in pink
NAPLES, Italy — Australian cyclist Kaden Groves sprinted to victory in a chaotic sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia that had be neutralized following a massive crash.
When 2022 winner Jai Hindley slid on the wet roads, riders toppled in domino style with about 43 miles left on the 141-mile route from Potenza to Naples.
Hindley was taken to hospital with reported concussion and other riders also had to abandon the three-week race.
With all of the ambulances in use, the stage was neutralized for safety reasons while it was discussed how best to continue.
Two breakaway riders and the peloton were brought to a halt. The race resumed with about 60 kilometers remaining and the decision that only the stage win would count and no points, time gaps or bonuses would be awarded.
That option allowed Naples to get its stage finish and the sprinters could vie for a prestigious win but the overall contenders could remain as safe as possible.
Overall leader Mads Pedersen, who won three of the opening five stages, preserved his 17-second advantage over pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic, and Mathias Vacek was another seven seconds back.
Groves beat Milan Fretin in a much-reduced bunch sprint to the finish line after the longest stage of this Giro, with Paul Magnier third.
It was Groves' first win of the year after a knee injury sidelined the Alpecin–Deceuninck rider for several races.
'The team always believes in me,' he said. 'With the injury I missed a lot of racing and I was arriving here without a win, so the first one for the year is a big relief.
'Once it started raining, I felt quite a bit better, actually. I'm quite good in the colder weather conditions. I had confidence in my team also, I believe in them, and they always do a super job.'
Friday's Stage 7 sees the first summit finish in the hardest leg so far. There are four classified climbs on the 168-kilometer route from Castel di Sangro, including the top category ascent to the finish in Tagliacozzo.
The Giro ends in Rome on June 1.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Aussie coach Peters seeks redemption for Hull KR
The pain of recent history will weigh heavily on the mind of Australian coach Willie Peters as he plots a path to Challenge Cup final glory for his Hull Kingston Rovers side. Peters has the lingering memories of Rovers' heartbreaking 2023 final loss to Leigh to erase, not to mention a 40-year trophyless streak to explode as his side look to live up to their deserved billing as heavy favourites for Saturday's showdown with Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. The 46-year-old Sydney-born Peters has told his players, who top the Super League, to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with being the domestic game's pre-eminent force. The club have scarcely looked back since Lachlan Lam's drop-goal denied them their long-awaited triumph in 2023. They were runners-up to Wigan in last October's grand final, four days after Peters had been named Super League coach of the year. Here's what James Batchelor and Willie Peters said ahead of this Saturday's @TheChallengeCup final 🗣️Watch the full Pre-Match press here 👉 — Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) June 4, 2025 East Hull has been awash with reminders that it is four decades since the Robins last lifted major honours, and Peters, who has immersed himself in the club and its community since he arrived as a relatively little-known head coach in 2023, is under no illusions about what a win would mean. "I don't think about what it would mean for me, but I think it about the effect it will have on our club," said Peters, who played halfback for the likes of South Sydney and St George Illawarra before taking up assistant coaching roles with Manly, South Sydney and Newcastle. "The people involved can be legends of this club for a long time, so that excites me. What would excite me would be being in a WhatsApp group for the next 30 or 40 years with the guys who won a Challenge Cup, and being able to come back and meet up. "We are a community club. I have always said our sole aim is to make our community proud, and we have got the chance to do that this weekend." Peters admitted glancing back at certain aspects of the 2023 final but has resisted plunging into the negative emotions that followed that loss, pointing out his side's ability to shrug it off almost immediately and finish their domestic campaign on a high. "I've watched some segments of the (2023) final because I know what I want to use this week, not so much about the emotions but around different actions in the game," added Peters. "If you talk about where you want to go, I believe that's a stronger emotion, so that's what I will be tapping into." Peters' opposite number, Sam Burgess, will also be on a mission at the London final, where Warrington will be attempting to erase memories of last year's miserable 18-8 final defeat by Wigan. But his side have been ravaged by injuries this season and languish in eighth place in the Super League.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dolphins destroy Dragons in record-breaking win
The Dolphins have rocketed into the top eight for the first time this year with a 56-6 demolition of St George Illawarra on what is officially known as Queensland Day. That could easily be rebranded Dolphins Day on the back of another scintillating display by halfback Isaiya Katoa. The Dolphins started the season 0-4 but head coach Kristian Woolf kept true to his systems and did not panic. The so-called 'Wayne Bennett curse' has been spooked into oblivion. The only downside for the Dolphins, now in seventh on the ladder, was a knee injury to forward Max Plath on his return from a foot issue. The opening 40 minutes on Friday night was a pure rugby league clinic as the home side rocketed to a 28-2 halftime lead at Suncorp Stadium. The second half was just as good. The forwards and backs were punishing in defence, halves Kodi Nikorima and Katoa combined in a masterclass and to a man the Dolphins played scintillating attacking rugby league. The diabolical Dragons simply had no answer. The Dolphins had their previous biggest winning margin over St George Illawarra in a 38-0 victory last year but this record breaker was another level, surpassing the 44 points they had notched on two previous occasions. When second-rower Connelly Lemuelu stormed over for his second try four minutes after the break Nikorima and Katoa had two try assists each. Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow then put the nail in the Dragons' coffin for a runaway try in combination with centre Jake Averillo, who was brilliant with three try assists. Katoa landed a 40/20 and then laid on a try for winger Jamayne Isaako's second try. Dolphins hitman Felise Kaufusi set the scene early with a back slam on centre Valentine Holmes to dislodge the ball. From that moment the Dolphins dominated. Grab your popcorn because the Dolphins are putting on a SHOW! 🍿#NRLDolphinsDragons — NRL (@NRL) June 6, 2025 The depth of the Dolphins' attacking line was a sight to behold and it was star centre Herbie Farnworth who crossed for his 50th career try in the 11th minute after a sweeping right to left play. Winger Jamayne Isaako added a second in the right corner after a mirror image play for a 10-2 lead. Katoa was pivotal in both by going deep into the line to create space. He then beat three men and Nikorima raced away to score. A towering bomb by Katoa was expertly snaffled by Lemuelu for a 22-2 lead. Dolphins winger Jack Bostock haunted opposite number Nathan Lawson, the former Australian rugby sevens Olympian. Bostock smashed Lawson in one huge hit and then leapt above him to score after a Nikorima bomb. The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu to a hamstring injury in the first half on his return from the same complaint while forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner left the field in the second half with shortness of breath.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner: French Open semifinal odds, picks, and prediction
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The torch has been passed in tennis, but Novak Djokovic is still doing a fine job of representing the previous generation. Djokovic is playing less these days, but he's still getting up for the big tournaments. Djokovic made it to the semifinals at the Australian Open and is now into the final four at Roland Garros, where he'll meet Jannik Sinner. Sinner is a -480 favorite over Djokovic in Friday afternoon's semifinal. French Open semifinal: Sinner vs. Djokovic betting preview All concerns about Djokovic's form and fitness were put to bed pretty quickly at Roland Garros. The 24-time grand slam champion didn't drop a set until his quarterfinal victory over No. 3 Alexander Zverev, and he's barely had to break a sweat to this point. Getting to the semifinals is one thing, but the fact that Djokovic, 38, was able to get to this part of the tournament without putting too many miles on his legs is a massive boost to his chances. The problem is that Sinner will be even fresher. Jannik Sinner celebrating at Roland Garros. AFP via Getty Images The Italian was handed a three-month ban due to testing positive for a banned substance between February and May, meaning he essentially had an offseason between the Australian and French Opens. Sinner hasn't been impacted by the rust, as he made it to the finals of the Rome Masters in his return to action. He has yet to drop a set at Roland Garros. Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps French Open semifinal: Sinner vs. Djokovic pick Sinner, who is 17-1 in 2025, is the overwhelming favorite, but don't write off Djokovic in this battle. Not only is Djokovic in terrific form at the moment, but he will have his legs with him on Friday. Had the Serb had to dig deep to get to this point, I'd be weary of his chances, but he'll be as fresh as he could have hoped, considering where we're at in this tournament. This could be a classic, and Djokovic winning in five sets feels like a real possibility. THE PLAY: Djokovic to win 3-2 (+1000, FanDuel) Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
