Bizarre and incredibly impressive: Biermans fell into 25-meter-deep ravine during Giro monster ride... But still managed to finish the stage

During the queen stage of the Giro d'Italia, which took the peloton over the Mortirolo, all eyes were on eventual winner Tadej Pogacar. However, in the (distant) background, a lot was happening, not all of it positive. Belgian rider Jenthe Biermans, riding for Arkéa-B&B Hotels, fell deep into a ravine...

The incident happened during the descent of the aforementioned Mortirolo, where things went completely wrong for the Flemish rider. "There was real panic," he told Sporza after the race since, indeed, miraculously, Biermans finished the ride. "I misjudged a turn during the descent."

"The result was a very heavy fall," continued the 28-year-old sprinter. "Four teams immediately came looking for me. I was definitely 25 to 30 meters deep in a ravine. Gianni Meersman (team manager at Alpecin-Deceuninck, ed.) and the guys of Intermarché-Wanty came right away. I want to thank them."

Hats off: Biermans got help from several teams and managed to finish the monstrous stage

According to Biermans, he could barely move during those first moments following the crash. "After my fall, I kept tumbling and finally came to a stop against a tree. I also lost my communication during the fall, so they couldn't immediately find me," he describes the terrifying situation.

It obviously took a great deal of courage and strength to just get back on the bike and finish the grueling mountain stage, which included a total of a whopping 5,700 (!) meters of climbing. "I got back on the bike and then continued with the last gruppetto. Thanks to a lot of support from other guys and sheer grit, I made it across the finish line," said the unfortunate Belgian. "Now we're going to do radio checks and hope that there are no fractures. My hip, lower back and foot really don't feel good." So it remains to be seen whether Biermans will start again after the rest day...