Remco Evenepoel in 'a lot of pain' after crashes, facing 'difficult day' ahead at Giro, says team doctor

Remco Evenepoel is in a “lot of pain” following two crashes on a rain-soaked Stage 5 of the Giro d’Italia and faces a “difficult day” tomorrow, according to Soudal Quick-Step doctor Toon Cruyt. Vuelta a Espana champion Evenepoel is one of the favourites to win the Giro and wore the pink leader’s jersey until the end of Stage 4. Ad But his hopes took a hit as he fell twice on Stage 5, firstly when a dog ran into the road and then again just 2.5km from the finish.

Giro d'Italia'Rode it to the ground' – Cavendish praised for bike skills despite big crash3 HOURS AGO Evenepoel finished the stage and didn’t lose any time on his GC rivals to stay in second place. However, the injuries suffered from the crashes sound like they could take their toll on the 23-year-old. “From the first crash it was quite OK with the dog, not too bad, but the second crash he has a lot of pain on his right side,” explained Soudal Quick-Step doctor Cruyt.

“He has a big hematoma, a contraction of his muscles there and problems with his sacrum bone, but hopefully with a good massage and osteopathic treatment and good night of rest it will go better. We will see tomorrow morning. “It will take a few days before the hematoma goes away but we hope the muscle contraction is going away faster.

We will see tomorrow. Tomorrow he will have a difficult day.” Stage 6 starts and finishes in Naples, with the peloton set to skirt around Mount Vesuvius and visit the Amalfi coast. Drama on Stage 5 as Evenepoel and Cavendish crash Cavendish praised for bike skills despite crash More challenging looks to be Stage 7 on Friday, which features plenty of climbing and a summit finish.