Cycling World Champion Remco Evenepoel crashed on the fifth stage of the 106th Giro d'Italia due to a stray dog. The animal ran a good 20 kilometers after the start in Atripalda across the rain-soaked road. The dog had already arrived on the opposite side of the road when passing through the village before he suddenly ran back. Evenepoel then braked, fell and slid several meters over the rain-soaked road.
The Belgian initially remained seated on the side of the road. However, he was able to resume the cycling race quickly. Shortly after the incident on the 171-kilometre section to Salerno, the 23-year-old was helped by several teammates and support staff from his Soudal-Quick Step racing team. After a few seconds of shock, Evenepoel smiled and reached the peloton with his helpers. He apparently did not suffer any major injuries. In the television cameras, the young star showed with a thumbs up that it went on for him.
The favourite for the overall victory had had to relinquish the overall lead he had won in the individual time trial at the beginning of the Tour the day before after three days. Norway's Andreas Leknessund took over the pink jersey on Tuesday with a 28-second lead over the Belgian. On the 175-kilometre fourth stage, Frenchman Aurélien Paret-Peintre had taken the day's victory.
None of the German professional cyclists around Lennard Kämna and Pascal Ackermann made it into the top ten. On the toughest stage to date between Venosa and Lago Laceno, a leading group of seven riders formed well before the finish, from which Leknessund and Paret-Peintre fought the final duel before the finish.