"It would be heartbreaking to have to leave this Giro" - Andrea Vendrame hopeful of continuing Giro d'Italia after sprint crash on stage 5

Andrea Vendrame was one of the worst affected riders out of yesterday's crash-filled stage. The Italian was involved in the mass crash at the finish line which also included Mark Cavendish, but was carried out of the scene in a stretcher.

“I fell after crossing the finish. Luckily I didn't break anything. We arrived at 60 km/h and Cavendish crashed there. His bike was thrown to the left side of the road and I couldn't avoid him. I ended up in the fences," Vendrame explained later in the night, seemingly in a better mood. The Italian seemed to be the worst off from the dramatic crash, but his injuries haven't forced him to abandon the race with immediate effect.

Vendrame suffered a dislocation in the collarbone area, as well as some wounds which required stitches. Difficult injuries but as for the time being the 28-year old is still set to start stage 6 of the race. “I will do my best to treat myself as well as possible tonight, with the medical staff," he continued. 

"I hope to be at the start tomorrow (today, ed.), that is my goal for the next few hours. It would be heartbreaking to have to leave this Giro.”