RACE NEUTRALISED: Giro d’Italia Stage 2 in chaos as crash forces race neutralisation as Adam Yates, Derek Gee and Corbin Strong among others go down

The second stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia has been temporarily neutralised after a major crash on wet roads has left multiple riders on the ground, including pre-race GC contenders Adam Yates and Derek Gee, as well as Stage 2 hopeful Corbin Strong.

After a long and largely controlled day in Bulgaria, the race suddenly turned chaotic before the final climb to Veliko Tarnovo, with a large section of the peloton brought down on slick roads. Yates was one of the most notable riders involved, with the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader seen covered in mud and blood after hitting the deck.

The crash came shortly after the day’s early breakaway of Diego Pablo Sevilla and Mirco Maestri had been brought back, just as UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Netcompany Ineos had started to increase the pace ahead of the decisive finale.

Derek Gee-West was also delayed and forced to wait for a replacement bike, while Strong, who had been one of the riders expected to feature in the Veliko Tarnovo finish, was confirmed among those caught up in the incident.

The crash caused immediate concern because of both the number of riders involved and the road conditions, with several riders sliding into or ending up against the roadside barriers.

Antonio Morgado, wearing the white jersey after the opening stage, was another UAE rider affected and also needed a new bike. The scale of the incident left medical vehicles occupied with fallen riders, forcing the race to be temporarily neutralised.

The peloton rolled on at a very slow pace while those delayed by the crash, along with the medical convoy, were given the chance to rejoin. Yates was able to remount after the fall, but the damage was clear. The Briton stopped shortly afterwards to wipe mud from his face, with visible injuries along his side after hitting the ground.

The incident created a sudden and potentially significant GC scare for UAE, with Yates and Morgado both affected before the race had even reached the final climb of the day.

The crash also appeared to have more serious consequences for others. Remi Cavagna initially looked in major difficulty, holding his collarbone area in the familiar posture that often follows a heavy impact. The Groupama - FDJ rider was later able to get going again, but his involvement underlined the severity of the incident.

From Uno-X Mobility, Holter remained down after the crash, adding to the concern as ambulances and medical staff continued to work around the scene. The neutralisation turned what had been building into a tense tactical finale into a far more serious moment for the race. After Stage 1 had already been shaped by a huge crash in the final kilometre, the Giro’s second day produced another major incident, this time affecting several riders with GC or stage ambitions before the decisive roads to Veliko Tarnovo.