Video: Tragic end of career for Mikel Nieve, who crashes at Il Lombardia

Saturday, 08 October 2022 at 13:41

Alongside Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tanel Kangert, another rider set to retire today after Il Lombardia was Mikel Nieve, but the plan had a tragic ending as the Basque climber crashed out of what was his last race as a pro rider.

Nieve had taken to the start line with Caja Rural - Seguros RGA, looking to end his career on a high, in a highly mountainous race such as the ones where he's succeeded in the past. A crash before the ascent to Forcella di Bura saw him and Lorenzo Fortunato hit the deck, leading to an abandon and a possible broken collarbone according to the team.

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Although having only five careers in his long pro win, 80% of them have been in Grand Tours, as Nieve consistently won on highly mountainous stages, winning three of them - and the KOM classification in 2016 - at the Giro d'Italia, and having wins at the Vuelta a Espana and Critérium du Dauphiné aswell.

Long years of his career have been at his home Euskaltel - Euskadi team where he broke through internationally, but he's also had his chances for the overall classification in some Grand Tours, and has also played a role within Team Sky's golden years.

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Team Caja Rural-RGA

@CajaRural_RGA

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🇮🇹🍂 Desgraciadamente,una caída ha obligado a @NieveMikel a abandonar #IlLombardia, afectado en la clavícula. El final que nadie quería para un día especial para el navarro 😢 #Súmatealverde 💚