Jean-Christophe Peraud: 'I don't remember Giro d'Italia crash'

Nasty crash for @AG2RLAMONDIALEc's @jice_peraud, who is forced to abandon #giro #homeofcycling https://t.co/S8CotFTnLp

— Eurosport UK TV (@EurosportUKTV) May 8, 2016

Jean-Christophe Peraud has said that he can't remember anything of his crash during stage three of the Giro d'Italia in the Netherland on Sunday.

The Frenchman of team Ag2r-La Mondiale hit team-mate Patrick Gretsch as the latter's wheel slipped when they were at the very front of the peloton navigating a roundabout.

As Gretsch crashed, Peraud simply had nowhere to go, colliding with him at full speed and flipping over his bars.

>>> Five talking points from stage three of the Giro d’Italia

Peraud landed on his face, causing lacerations and bruising. He was attended to my medical staff promptly and was taken to Zupten Hospital in an ambulance for further examination and treatment.

Given the speed he was riding when the incident happened, it is remarkable that the 38-year-old wasn't more badly injured.

"I feel ok," Peraud said in a team statement. "I am conscious and it’s a good news.

>>> Giro d'Italia 2016: Latest news, reports and info

"I don’t remember the crash. At the hospital a doctor told me that Patrick Gretsch crashed and then I remember his crash. But it’s my only memory of what happens.

"It was nervous and windy but I don’t understand why we crash. At the moment, the only important think is that I am healthy."

Peraud posted a photo of himself on his Twitter account on Sunday evening showing his injuries. He was the first rider to abandon the 2016 Giro.

Ag2r medical direct Eric Bouvat reported that Peraud had not suffered any fractures:

"Jean-Christophe Peraud suffers from a cranial trauma, a facial trauma with loss of consciousness, various bruises and dermabrasion on upper and lower limbs. He undergoes a brain and face scan in Zutpen Hospital that revealed no fracture and no intracranial lesion.

"I warmly thank the staff of Giro’s medical department and of Zupten Hospital for their professionalism and efficiency."

Last year, Ag2r rider Domenico Pozzovivo crashed out on stage three of the Giro. The Italian required 25 stitches around his right eye and, like Peraud, had little recollection of the incident.

The Giro d'Italia is on its first rest day today (Monday) after three days in the Netherlands. The race resumes on Tuesday with stage four in Italy. Stage two and three winner Marcel Kittel (Etixx-QuickStep) leads the race overall.