Tadej Pogacar loses key domestique for Giro d'Italia - Jay Vine escapes neurological injuries but suffers three broke vertebrae at Itzulia crash

Many riders have gone down today at Itzulia Basque Country in what was one of the worst and most damaging crashes in recent years in pro cycling, and Jay Vine was one of the worst affected riders. The Australian climber will be forced to miss the Giro d'Italia after fracturing three vertebrae.

"Jay Vine suffered a heavy crash today during the race and sustained a cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures," team doctor Adrian Rotunno said. "Thankfully no neurological involvement, and there are no other major injuries or head trauma."

The worst was feared for the UAE Team Emirates rider, who was one of several who required serious attention on the spot and spent time inside the ambulances that remained on the scene well after the crash itself. Vine fell and hit the ditch where a few other riders ended up on, but isolated from other riders. He spent many minutes on the ground requiring medical assistance, which was a bad indicator.

Vine is now set to spent a long time away from the bike after very difficult injuries and it is unclear when he will return to competition. He will certainly miss the Giro d'Italia which starts in the space of one month, where he was to be a key domestique for Tadej Pogacar in the mountains. "Jay will stay in hospital for neurological observation. We await spinal orthopaedic assessment and further managemen," Rotunno concluded.