Cycling stunned by rogue attack on rider in Giro d’Italia

Cycling fans couldn’t quite believe their eyes when a rogue intruder ran onto the road, sparking chaos in the Giro d’Italia.

Cyclists had to avoid a rogue intruder during the third stage of the Giro d’Italia overnight on Sunday (AEST).

Denmark’s Mads Pedersen won a sprint finish to claim his second stage victory of this year’s race and win back the leader’s pink jersey.

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There were bizarre scenes midway through the stage, which went through Albania to Italy, when a goat ran onto the road and nearly took out several cyclists.

A group of mountain goats were seen gathered off the left hand side of the road, but instead of keeping to themselves and minding their own business, a goat ran across and straight towards New Zealand cyclist Dion Smith.

Smith was forced off the road onto the grass and he did well to stay upright and avoid falling off his bike into a ditch as the goat scampered to safety. Fortunately neither the rider or goat were hurt.

A TV commentator said Smith was nearly “taken out”, adding: “We’re not even at the king of the mountains points, and the goats are already in the thick of the action.

One fan joked on social media: “Watch out, Tadej Pogacar incoming!!” in reference to the three-time Tour de France winner who is quickly developing a case to be one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Another viewer wrote on X: “This Albanian goat doesn’t appear to be a cycling fan.”

A goat ran onto the track during the Giro D'Italia.

“First time for a goat for me,” Smith laughed afterwards.

“I didn’t have too much time to think but I could see it 10 seconds before, the policeman trying to keep them all in and then one or two started coming across and I don’t know which way I was going to go, but luckily I stayed up.

“They’ve done really well, I’ve definitely enjoyed it and it was a different experience, but … just watch out for the goats.

Pederson’s race win nearly didn’t happen after the peloton had to avoid a dog that raced across the road with 2km remaining in the stage.

Dion Smith of New Zealand nearly got taken out by a goat. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Mads Pedersen of Denmark celebrates as Pink Leader Jersey after winning stage three of the Giro d'Italia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

“Wow, to have two stage victories already and now back in the pink, that’s exactly what we wanted today. This was the plan,” said Pederson, who is nine seconds clear of Slovenian veteran Primoz Roglic in the overall standings.

It was an uneventful day for the 14-strong Australian contingent after Jay Vine crashed in stage one and Luke Trapp crashed in the time trial.

Tudor Pro team leader Michael Storer is the best hope for an Aussie winner, sitting ninth overall and 36 seconds off the lead as the Giro d’Italia heads to Italy after beginning in Albania.

Jai Hindley is the last Australian to win the Giro, triumphing in 2022 and he is only 48 behinds in 15th overall. The race ends in Rome in June 1.

Originally published as Cycling stunned by rogue attack on rider in Giro d’Italia