Latest news with #IntermarcheWanty
New York Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Giro d'Italia protester charged after almost causing major crash
A protester has been charged with bodily harm and resisting a public official after almost causing a major crash during stage six of the Giro d'Italia on Thursday, race organisers told The Athletic. Breakaway riders Taco van der Hoorn and Enzo Paleni led the peloton by around 12 seconds with 3km remaining on Thursday, when two people ran out into the road in front of them. Advertisement Footage released by Van der Hoorn's Intermarche-Wanty team shows the protestors holding a rubber hose and two pieces of red and white tape, with both riders forced to take evasive action to avoid being knocked off their bike. A piece of the tape appears to briefly wrap around Van der Hoorn's head. The Athletic has contacted Naples state police for comment. UNACCEPTABLE 🤬 RESPECT THE RIDERS — Intermarché-Wanty (@IntermarcheW) May 15, 2025 According to Neapolitan newspaper Il Gazzettino Vesuviano, the activists held a banner which read 'Israel out of the Giro d'Italia', appearing to protest against the presence at the race of the Israel-Premier Tech team. Israel-Premier Tech is not state-owned, but was set up as a private team by former cyclist Ran Margaliot and businessman Ron Baron. Canadian-Israeli co-owner Sylvan Adams has previously referred to himself as 'a self-appointed ambassador at large for the state of Israel'. 'With 3km to go, those protesters came onto the road,' Van der Hoorn told Eurosport post-stage. 'Suddenly, there was someone in front of me with a ribbon and who knows what else he had. 'I drove straight through them, but I came to a complete standstill because they completely blocked the road. Then you have to get going again, while you are completely wasted, so to speak. That is difficult. 'It did have an impact. I don't know if we would have made it otherwise, I don't think so. But it is a shame that it has to end like this.' Following the protest, both breakaway riders were quickly caught by the peloton, before Australian sprinter Kaden Groves won the stage in Naples from a reduced bunch. Earlier in the day, several riders had been forced to abandon the race after crashing amidst slippery conditions, with Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe's Jai Hindley the most high-profile withdrawal.
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!'
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!"
RNZ News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Watch: Kiwi cyclist Dion Smith survives run-in with goat at Giro d'Italia
New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith. Photo: PHOTOSPORT New Zealand rider Dion Smith has survived a run-in with a stray goat before finishing the third stage of the Giro d'Italia. Smith , who rides for the Intermarche-Wanty team, was on the 160km stage that started and finished in the Albanian town of Vlore when he was broadsided by the charging mountain goat. Goat recognizes the GOAT Dion Smith is the chosen man for this Giro d'Italia 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. Somehow Smith 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!" Fellow New Zealander Corbin Strong finished second on the stage which was won by Dane Mads Pedersen. - Reuters / RNZ
