Evenepoel is regularly at the starting line of the sixth stage of the Corsa Rosa with departure and arrival in Naples.
The Belgian QuickStep rider yesterday was the victim of a double fall during the stage from Atripalda to Salerno, reporting a strong contusion to the right side that had put his start in doubt. In particular, the runner yesterday, on the road wet by the rain was involved in a fall caused by a dog that escaped the control of his owner who was watching the runners pass. The animal ended up in the street, right in the middle of the group, causing several cyclists to fall. Among them was Evenepoel, who sat on the ground for a couple of minutes with a sore right leg. Rescued by the flagship of his team, the Belgian then got up and resumed pedaling with a new bicycle, 'escorted' by some companions with whom, subsequently, he managed to return to the group. Framed by the cameras, Evenepoel made the gesture of the thumbs up as if to say that he was fine. Then he ended up on the ground a second time, less than three kilometers from the finish line.
The Belgian, favourite for the final victory together with Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), "After the second crash, he felt severe pain in his right side," team doctor Toon Cruyt said in a press release.
At the end of the day it was noted that the Belgian cyclist reported "a muscular hematoma and a contusion to the sacrum", announced in the evening his team, Soudal-Quick-Step. With a good massage and osteopathic care, followed by a good night's rest, things will get better. To reabsorb the hematoma will take a few days. We will know more tomorrow morning, but certainly the sixth stage will be difficult for him," continues Cruyt. This morning the last checks by the doctors and the green light.
In the overall standings, the Belgian is second at 28 '' from the pink jersey Leknessund. Before leaving, there was also a curtain call for the rainbow shirt, which began to dribble on stage with a biancazzurro ball, the colors of Napoli fresh champion of Italy.
