Giro d'Italia 2026 takes first victim: Q36.5's Matteo Moschetti withdraws after concussion suffered in Stage 1 crash

The chaotic opening stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia has already claimed its first casualty after Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team confirmed Matteo Moschetti will take no further part in the race following the heavy crash in Burgas.

Moschetti was among the riders caught behind the major incident inside the final kilometre of Stage 1, where a high-speed crash split the peloton and wiped out much of the sprint field during the fight for the first Maglia Rosa of this year’s Giro.

In a medical update released by the team on Saturday morning, Pinarello Q36.5 confirmed the Italian rider had undergone extensive examinations following the stage. “The examinations confirmed a concussion and, in accordance with UCI medical protocols, Matteo will take no further part in the Giro d’Italia,” the team announced.

The statement added that all evaluations had been conducted with the rider’s long-term health as the absolute priority. “The team’s medical staff conducted all necessary evaluations with the utmost care and attention, always prioritising the rider’s health and long-term wellbeing.”

Moschetti had started the Giro as one of several outsiders for the sprint stages during the opening week in Bulgaria and Italy, but his race ended less than one stage into the Grand Tour after the chaotic finale in Burgas descended into disorder.

Paul Magnier ultimately emerged from the crash-marred finish to take the stage victory and first Maglia Rosa ahead of Tobias Lund Andresen and Ethan Vernon, while several major sprint names including Kaden Groves and Dylan Groenewegen were also caught behind the incident.

The finale quickly sparked wider debate around rider safety after Dutch analyst Thijs Zonneveld described the barriers near the finish as “criminal”, while former Giro winner Tom Dumoulin instead pointed toward the familiar chaos of Grand Tour opening stages and fresh legs inside the peloton.

Moschetti’s withdrawal now marks the first confirmed abandonment directly linked to the Stage 1 crash.

Pinarello Q36.5 sports director Gabriele Missaglia admitted the withdrawal was a major disappointment both for the rider and the team given the significance of the Giro d’Italia on home roads.

“This is obviously a very disappointing moment for both Matteo and the Team, especially considering the importance of the Giro d’Italia for him,” Missaglia explained. “However, the priority is and always will be the rider’s health.”

The team also made clear there would be no risks taken around the concussion diagnosis. “Concussion protocols exist for a reason and they must be fully respected,” Missaglia said.

Moschetti will now return home to begin his recovery under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.