Latest news with #DionSmith
CNN
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Runaway goat attempts to ram cyclist off bike in freak incident during Giro d'Italia
New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith got quite the scare during the third stage of this year's Giro d'Italia, after almost being knocked off his bike by a runaway goat on Sunday. The bizarre incident occurred during the 160km stage of the prestigious race, which started and finished in the Albanian town of Vlorë, as the peloton was on its fast descent down a hill. Smith, who rides for the Intermarche–Wanty team, said he had spotted a small herd of goats by the side of the road and moved to the right-hand side to avoid any potential collision. Unfortunately for him, one of the goats decided to dart across the road, right into the cyclist's path. Perhaps anticipating the collision, video footage showed the goat leaping into the air and brushing Smith's leg and back wheel. The rider was pushed onto the grass verge as a result, but managed to stay on his bike and rejoin the road shortly after. Meanwhile, the goat appeared unharmed and trotted away. 'I didn't have too much time to think. I could see it 10 seconds before, the policeman was trying to keep them all in, and then one or two started coming across,' Smith said, adding that he still loves animals. 'I mean, what can I say? I didn't know which way I was going to go, and everyone else went left. I chose right, but in the end, it was fine.' It's certainly not the first time a wild animal has caused chaos during the Giro d'Italia. In 2023, a dog caused a pileup after running onto the road, forcing several cyclists to slam on the brakes in rainy conditions. Speaking after this year's incident, Smith said he had been on alert for stray animals, but just never expected an issue with a goat. 'I probably expected more of a wild dog, but I guess there's a lot more goats down here,' he said, per Reuters. 'Albania's been great and it's beautiful down the south here. They've done really well and I've enjoyed it. It's been a different experience, just watch out for the goats!'
CNN
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Runaway goat attempts to ram cyclist off bike in freak incident during Giro d'Italia
New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith got quite the scare during the third stage of this year's Giro d'Italia, after almost being knocked off his bike by a runaway goat on Sunday. The bizarre incident occurred during the 160km stage of the prestigious race, which started and finished in the Albanian town of Vlorë, as the peloton was on its fast descent down a hill. Smith, who rides for the Intermarche–Wanty team, said he had spotted a small herd of goats by the side of the road and moved to the right-hand side to avoid any potential collision. Unfortunately for him, one of the goats decided to dart across the road, right into the cyclist's path. Perhaps anticipating the collision, video footage showed the goat leaping into the air and brushing Smith's leg and back wheel. The rider was pushed onto the grass verge as a result, but managed to stay on his bike and rejoin the road shortly after. Meanwhile, the goat appeared unharmed and trotted away. 'I didn't have too much time to think. I could see it 10 seconds before, the policeman was trying to keep them all in, and then one or two started coming across,' Smith said, adding that he still loves animals. 'I mean, what can I say? I didn't know which way I was going to go, and everyone else went left. I chose right, but in the end, it was fine.' It's certainly not the first time a wild animal has caused chaos during the Giro d'Italia. In 2023, a dog caused a pileup after running onto the road, forcing several cyclists to slam on the brakes in rainy conditions. Speaking after this year's incident, Smith said he had been on alert for stray animals, but just never expected an issue with a goat. 'I probably expected more of a wild dog, but I guess there's a lot more goats down here,' he said, per Reuters. 'Albania's been great and it's beautiful down the south here. They've done really well and I've enjoyed it. It's been a different experience, just watch out for the goats!'
CNN
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Runaway goat attempts to ram cyclist off bike in freak incident during Giro d'Italia
New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith got quite the scare during the third stage of this year's Giro d'Italia, after almost being knocked off his bike by a runaway goat on Sunday. The bizarre incident occurred during the 160km stage of the prestigious race, which started and finished in the Albanian town of Vlorë, as the peloton was on its fast descent down a hill. Smith, who rides for the Intermarche–Wanty team, said he had spotted a small herd of goats by the side of the road and moved to the right-hand side to avoid any potential collision. Unfortunately for him, one of the goats decided to dart across the road, right into the cyclist's path. Perhaps anticipating the collision, video footage showed the goat leaping into the air and brushing Smith's leg and back wheel. The rider was pushed onto the grass verge as a result, but managed to stay on his bike and rejoin the road shortly after. Meanwhile, the goat appeared unharmed and trotted away. 'I didn't have too much time to think. I could see it 10 seconds before, the policeman was trying to keep them all in, and then one or two started coming across,' Smith said, adding that he still loves animals. 'I mean, what can I say? I didn't know which way I was going to go, and everyone else went left. I chose right, but in the end, it was fine.' It's certainly not the first time a wild animal has caused chaos during the Giro d'Italia. In 2023, a dog caused a pileup after running onto the road, forcing several cyclists to slam on the brakes in rainy conditions. Speaking after this year's incident, Smith said he had been on alert for stray animals, but just never expected an issue with a goat. 'I probably expected more of a wild dog, but I guess there's a lot more goats down here,' he said, per Reuters. 'Albania's been great and it's beautiful down the south here. They've done really well and I've enjoyed it. It's been a different experience, just watch out for the goats!'
Saba Yemen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Mountain goat attacks cyclist during famous race
Tirana - (Saba): New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith, a member of the Intermarche-Wanty team, was suddenly attacked by a mountain goat during a stage of the Giro d'Italia. The incident occurred during the 160-kilometer stage in southern Albania. A goat rushed onto the course and attacked Smith, forcing him to veer off the road and onto the edge. According to reports, the animal slightly struck the rear wheel of his bike before fleeing onto the rocks, while the New Zealand cyclist managed to maintain his balance and avoid falling. Smith jokingly commented on the incident: "I was expecting it to be a wild dog, but apparently goats are more common here. Albania is great, it's a new experience... just keep an eye out for the goats!" It's worth noting that strange incidents are nothing new in cycling. In the summer of 2021, a female fan caused a mass accident during the Tour de France after standing on the side of the road holding a cardboard sign toward the camera, unaware of the approaching cyclists. Whatsapp Telegram Email more of (International)
Japan Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Cyclist hit by charging goat during third stage of Giro d'Italia
New Zealand rider Dion Smith survived a run-in with a stray goat before finishing the third stage of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday. Smith, who rides for the Intermarche-Wanty team, was on the 160-km stage that started and finished in the Albanian town of Vlore when he was broad-sided by the charging mountain goat. Video footage showed the animal breaking out of a herd that had been kept under control as the peloton passed before contacting the back wheel of Smith's bike. Smith somehow managed to avoid crashing by going on the grass verge while the goat appeared unharmed by its antics. "I didn't have too much time to think," Smith said. "I could see it 10 seconds before, the policeman was trying to keep them all in, and then one or two started coming across. "I mean, what can I say? I didn't know which way I was going to go, and everyone else went left. I chose right, but in the end it was fine. Luckily, I stayed up." Animal incursions are not uncommon in professional road cycling. Two years ago at the Giro a dog took down Belgium's Remco Evenepoel while at the 2022 Tour de France a loose dog caused a crash involving another Belgium rider Yves Lampaert. Despite his close call with local wildlife, Smith said that Albania's three stages had been a success. "I probably expected more of a wild dog, but I guess there's a lot more goats down here," he said. "Albania's been great and it's beautiful down the south here. They've done really well and I've enjoyed it. It's been a different experience — just watch out for the goats!"
