Big hit for Visma - Jonas Vingegaard loses his first Giro d'Italia domestique due to stage 2 crash

The stage 2 crash at the Giro d'Italia continues to have its effects expand through the peloton. Team Visma | Lease a Bike have confirmed the departure of their first rider from the Corsa Rosa, as Wilco Kelderman continues to suffer from the injuries of his fall.

The crash involved five riders from UAE Team Emirates - XRG whilst rivals from other teams such as Santiago Buitrago and Aleksandr Vlasov abandoned the race on the spot. Adam Yates and Andrea Vendrame were two riders that managed to finish the stage but were not able to depart the next day, both suffering from meaningful injuries.

But the toll of the crash has not yet ended. Besides others that remain injured, there is another withdrawal from the race. Visma saw Tim Rex and Wilco Kelderman go down on that fall, and the latter is travelling back home as he is not cleared to start stage 4.

"Unfortunately, Wilco Kelderman will not start stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia following his crash a couple of days ago, as he is still experiencing lingering effects from the crash," Visma wrote on a social media post. After the crash, Kelderman notably had his equipment torn in many locations, including his shorts, signalling a lot of impact all-around.

From an experience point of view, it is a very meaningful hit. Kelderman, 35, was racing his 20th Grand Tour, and seventh Giro d'Italia. He is also a rider who has finished on the podium in the past, highlighting his experience in such a difficult race as the Corsa Rosa. Having a rider like him is key to maintaining good habits - recovery and balance-wise - during a three-week race, which is specially helpful to the younger riders in the team.

Kelderman is no stranger to injuries either, with him also having withdrawn from the 2017 Giro d'Italia following a crash into a motorbike at Blockhaus. At the time he suffered fractured fingers.

This removes depth and quality from the Dutch team's lineup to support Jonas Vingegaard at the ongoing Giro d'Italia, making it less viable to control stages - meaning breakaways would have better chances of succeeding if Visma captures the pink jersey. But it also provides less leverage to attack races in the mountains, where the Dane is expected to thrive.