VIDEO | Mikel Landa abandons Giro d'Italia after downhill crash on stage 1

Cycling fans all over the world will be devastated today to learn of the withdrawal of one of the sport's most popular and cheered for riders. Mikel Landa has a history of bad-timed crashes and today at the Giro d'Italia, his race ended only hours after it began with a high-speed crash on the final descent.

The likes of Derek Gee, Thymen Arensman and Daniel Martínez lost contact with the peloton already on the final climb despite the lack of attacks, and so overall it was a positive day for the Soudal - Quick-Step rider who was going to gain time on some of his rivals.

However this would be short lived. With around 5 kilometers to go the riders found a technical corner in the midst of a fast descent, and several riders hit the ground. Jay Vine was one, but in the sidewalk Mikel Landa moved in pain. It quickly seemed clear that the Basque rider was going to abandon the race, and this was confirmed as he was taken out of the race in an ambulance.