Animals trigger shocks on a tour of the tour

Excitement at Albania’s Giro debut

Goat and dog bring cycling stars in mortal danger

The Albania excursion of the Giro-Feld has provided some dangerous scenes. Several threats there was a risk of animals running onto the street.

For the first time, the Giro d’Italia was a guest in its history in Albania – and not only delivered sporty headlines there. Two almost prevented mass storts by animals shaped the third stage of the tour of Italy.

The driver field took a first break on Monday. Time enough to look back on an eventful opening weekend. The focus: Mads Pedersen. The Dane not only won the first stage in Albania’s capital Tirana, but also prevailed in the final sprint of the third stage after 160 kilometers around Vlora.

With his second victory, the classic specialist also took over the pink jersey-thanks to the bonus customers in the overall ranking. He replaced Primož Roglič, who had previously positioned himself as a co -favorite for the overall victory through his second place in the individual time trial.

But even more than Pedersensen’s double strike remember the encounters with Albania’s wildlife. Dion Smith in particular from the Intermarché – Wanty team was challenged several times on Sunday. On a departure with more than 80 km/h, the New Zealander suddenly came dangerously close to a broken goat.

The driver had noticed a herd on the side of the road and instinctively oriented himself to the right to keep your distance. This is exactly where one of the animals suddenly jumped onto the street. Shortly before the collision, the goat jumped reflexively into the air – touched Smith’s leg and his rear wheel, but the cycling professional stayed in the saddle.

“I didn’t have much time to think. A policeman tried to hold all goats back, and then one or two came across the street,” said Smith later. He chose the right side, while most other drivers removed the left. Ultimately, everything went well.

And that’s not all: it was getting more difficult again a few kilometers before the finish. A dog ran across the route in Vlora at the highest pace of the driver field. A professional driving ahead reacted with hand signals, the field slowed down in time – a mass crash failed.

Smith still drawn a positive conclusion: Albania was great, the landscape in the south was beautiful. “You did it really well and I enjoyed it. It was a different experience, but watch out for the goats.” On Tuesday, the Giro returns to Italian soil – with a flat stage over 189 kilometers from Alberobello to Lecce.