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!”
🐐 No sabíamos que Pogacar estaba corriendo el Giro.#GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/5zySS2iJq2
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) May 11, 2025
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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