Giro d’Italia 2023: Blow for Geraint Thomas as Pavel Sivakov abandons, Ineos down to just five riders

Geraint Thomas’ general classification hopes at the Giro d’Italia have suffered a big blow after Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Pavel Sivakov abandoned on Stage 16. Ineos had already lost 2020 champion Tao Geoghegan Hart to a fractured hip and Filippo Ganna to Covid. Ad Sivakov's departure leaves Thomas with just four support riders in the final week.

Giro d'ItaliaThomas pays tribute to 'greatest sprinter of all time' Cavendish ahead of retirement19 HOURS AGO Sivakov was injured in the crash that ended Geoghegan Hart’s race on Stage 11. Although the French rider gamely battled on beyond the second rest day, he withdrew midway through Tuesday’s run to Monte Bondone. Adam Blythe, making his Eurosport bow on the back of the motorbike, got the lowdown on Sivakov from the Ineos team car.

“Pavel Sivakov has abandoned because of the crash he had [on Stage 11],” said Blythe. “He’s still suffering from that and he’s finding it very tough. From the start of the stage today, and the rest day yesterday, he wasn’t feeling great.

So sadly he has had to abandon.” Stage 16 LIVE – GC fireworks expected on Monte Bondone 'The GOAT' – Blythe and McEwen laud 'phenomenon' Cavendish Thomas began Stage 16 second in the GC, 1’08” down on Bruno Armirail (Groupama–FDJ) in the leader’s pink jersey. Chief rival Primoz Roglic, who still has the full quota of Jumbo-Visma team-mates, was two seconds further back in third. The unlikely quartet of Thymen Arensman, Laurens De Plus, Salvatore Puccio and Ben Swift are now tasked with guiding Thomas through a brutal final week in Italy.