“Just watch out for the goats!” – Dion Smith reacts to Giro d’Italia battle with a goat

Stage 3 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia delivered one of the most unexpected and surreal moments in recent cycling history, and it had nothing to do with attacks, tactics, or finishes.

As the peloton navigated the twisting roads of southern Albania on Sunday, a goat suddenly darted onto the course during the early part of the stage, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision with Intermarché – Wanty rider Dion Smith. In a chaotic few seconds, the animal crossed directly into the path of the oncoming riders, forcing a frantic swerve from Smith to avoid being taken down.

Speaking after the stage, Smith recounted the bizarre encounter to Cycling Weekly. “I didn’t have much time to think but I could see it 10 seconds before,” he said. “The policeman was trying to keep them all in, and then one or two started coming across."

“I didn’t know where he was going to go, but luckily I stayed upright. Everybody else went left and I chose right, but in the end it was alright.”

Pressed on whether contact was made, Smith wasn’t entirely sure. “I think a little bit,” he said. “I have to watch the replay because it happened so fast that I was focused on staying on my bike, but I think I might have just brushed it. It was pretty close.”

While wildlife encounters in cycling aren’t completely unheard of, a goat in the Giro is certainly a new one. Smith himself admitted he was braced for something different. “I think I probably expected more of a wild dog, but I guess there’s a lot more goats down here!” he laughed.

Despite the scare, the New Zealander was full of praise for the Albanian leg of the Giro, which has brought the opening stages of the race to the Balkans for the first time in history.

“Albania’s been great and it’s beautiful down the south here. They’ve done really well and I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a different experience – just watch out for the goats!”