"A shocking one because of the brutality of the crash" - Spanish commentator Javier Ares worries for Giro d'Italia safety after stage 2 incident

Stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia again looked calm on the surface but offered plenty to unpack for Eurosport commentator Javier Ares, who broke it all down on his YouTube channel after the Bulgarian opening ahead of the transfer to southern Italy.

The day’s standout was once more the Frenchman Paul Magnier, who took another sprint win and confirmed his spectacular start to the Giro. Ares underlined the young sprinter’s level, capable of beating Jonathan Milan again in an explosive finale.

“He has beaten Jonathan Milan on his own terrain again,” the commentator stressed, impressed by the French rider’s power in the final metres.

The journalist also highlighted the surprising overall lead of Uruguayan Tomás Silva, who will keep the maglia rosa after the first three days in Bulgaria. For Ares, one of the major positives of this Italian Grand Tour starting abroad has been the emergence of riders and nationalities less common at the forefront of world cycling.

“In Uruguay, let’s not talk only about Fede Valverde or Luis Suárez and company—let’s talk about cycling too. That’s fantastic news,” he said.

Ares argued that these international starts can help grow the sport and inspire new cycling vocations in countries without tradition. He pointed to the strong local crowds at the finishes and the interest sparked during the three Bulgarian stages.

Not everything was positive, however. The commentator expressed concern about the numerous crashes and withdrawals the race has already suffered, especially at UAE Team Emirates - XRG, which lost key riders in Adam Yates, Jay Vine and Marc Soler in a single crash.

“We’ve already had quite a negative balance and, above all, a shocking one because of the brutality of the crash,” he lamented.

That situation led Ares to open a debate on possible regulatory changes in modern cycling. He even floated the idea of introducing new formats to enliven flat stages and avoid days that are too tightly controlled by the peloton.

“We need to rethink it,” he insisted, arguing for alternatives that boost the spectacle and provide greater advertising return for sponsors. Among the ideas he raised was the possibility of counting intermediate time gaps towards the general classification beyond the finish line, to encourage attacking during the stage.

“If time bonuses aren’t doing the job, let’s find other incentives,” he reflected.

Ares also analysed the day’s tactics, shaped by a controlled break of three riders that came close to pulling it off. Spaniard Diego Pablo Sevilla was active again at the head of the race and consolidated his mountains lead after another long escape.

According to the journalist, the peloton rode with a clearly conservative mindset, mindful of the demanding logistical transfer to Italy. “It was a siesta day—we’re travelling tonight,” he summed up.

In the end, another bunch sprint decided the stage, although Magnier surprised with a powerful kick on cobbles to overhaul Milan again and strengthen his bid for the maglia ciclamino.

“Milan’s final acceleration looked like it would practically tear the bike apart, but Magnier’s response shows a rider we’ll be talking about a lot,” Ares noted.

After three stages in Bulgaria, the Giro now takes a rest day before returning to Italy, where the race will progressively move into more selective terrain for the general classification.