Stage 3 winner Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) is hoping the primary Giro d’Italia relaxation day “will do wonders” for his accidents after crashing onerous within the stage 7 particular person time trial.
The Belgian’s incident wasn’t noticed on the published as a result of not being a contender for the stage however pictures of Merlier and feedback from himself and crew workers revealed that he had gone down and sustained extra than simply superficial accidents.
“Tim fell fairly onerous through the time trial on a quick part as a result of a bump within the street and tumbled over his handlebars. His total aspect is open. He’s grazed from ankle to elbow,” mentioned sports activities director Iljo Keisse to Het Laatste Nieuws.
Merlier was important of the circumstances he went down in through the solo effort into Perugia on a stage that he was merely making an attempt to get via to avoid wasting himself for the subsequent dash alternatives and seemed dejected explaining the crash earlier than stage 9.
“It is a disgrace as a result of it was a extremely silly crash. I used to be alone on the TT bike, useless straightforward after which you will have a silly crash on the straight,” Merlier advised Eurosport.
Merlier may have been one of many contenders for at present’s stage 9 which finishes in Naples however after taking place so closely, it seems much less possible that he’ll survive the punchy hills that line the ultimate 40km and it’ll simply be a day to get round safely.
“All the things is a bit painful, that’s regular I feel. I don’t really feel that prepared however I’ll give it a attempt. If I really feel that I’m not alright, then I’ll seek for a superb second to let it go,” he advised the broadcaster.
Soudal-QuickStep anticipate Alpecin to tempo full fuel for Kaden Groves into Naples as a result of nature of the hilly parcours however fortunately for Merlier, even when he can’t comply with, a relaxation day will come tomorrow permitting him to reset for the second week.
“I’ve fairly a little bit of ache in my groin. However I am not the one one within the pack both, I feel,” Merlier advised Het Nieuwsblad. “Yesterday I survived a troublesome mountain stage the day after my fall, now I hope that tomorrow’s relaxation day will do wonders.”
Merlier is likely one of the two bunch dash winners from this yr’s Giro alongside Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) after he claimed the third stage in a good end forward of the Italian into Fossano.
