Watch: Gorka Izagirre miraculously avoids parked car on descent during Giro d'Italia stage 16
The Astana rider made what was possibly the save of the season as he went wide on a descent during stage 16
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Astana's Gorka Izagirre pulled off the save of the Giro d'Italia, if not the entire 2021 season, as he narrowly avoided colliding into a parked car on a descent during stage 16.
Izagirre was off the front in the day's breakaway on the reduced queen stage of the Italian Grand Tour, following Movistar's Antonio Pedrero down a short descent before the Passo Giau climb.
The Spaniard took the corner too quickly in the wet conditions, going wide and off into the grass, managing to stay upright as he passed two cars parked on the verge, then unclipping as he had to swerve to avoid a third vehicle parked further out.
It couldn't have been closer as Izagirre just dodged out of the way of the back of the car, which was jutting out, clipping back in but slowing down as Pedrero continued unaware.
Pfieeeeeuw dat was close.... pic.twitter.com/SFIOp6mNZpMay 24, 2021
Falling back, race radio soon announced that Izagirre had suffered a front flat, and was soon caught by the remnants of the GC bunch as they began the big climb of the day.
More bad luck befell his team-mate Aleksandr Vlasov, who was dropped by the group of overall contenders after apparently getting his rain jacket caught in his chain.
Stage 16 saw two of the day's climbs cut, and the distance reduced from 212km to 155km due to extreme weather.
The Passo Fedaia and what was supposed to be this year's cima coppi, the Passo Pordoi, were removed with riders instead heading straight to the Passo Giau.
Luck has been on Astana's side these past couple of days, with three of their riders brought down in the big crash that disrupted stage 15.
Gorka Izagirre, Samuele Battistella and Vadim Pronskiy were brought down but managed to get back up and continue.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Ethan Hayter seals overall victory at Tour of Poland
The win is Hayter's first on GC at WorldTour level, and his second overall senior victory
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Dylan Teuns moves mid-season to Israel-PremierTech
Belgian rider moves to new team from Bahrain Victorious in unusual mid-season transfer
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Egan Bernal takes next step of his comeback at altitude training camp in Andorra
The Tour de France and Giro d’Italia winner on the road to recovery after horror crash in January
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Simon Yates misses out on Tour de France selection
Team BikeExchange-Jayco opt for sprint focussed line-up focused on Dylan Groenewegen
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'It still feels like a dream' — Jai Hindley reflects on historic Giro d'Italia victory
Jai Hindley reflects on a life-changing Giro win, what it means for his Bora-Hansgrohe team, and Australia as a whole
By Adam Becket • Published
-
The winners and losers: Rating the teams of the Giro d'Italia
13 teams won stages, but multiple squads went home from Italy empty handed
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'An incredible feeling' — Jai Hindley becomes the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia
Western Australian also wins Bora-Hansgrohe's first Grand Tour
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Hindley triumphs and goodbye to Nibali: Five talking points from stage 21 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
Matteo Sobrero was victorious in Verona
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2022 standings: Final results from the 105th edition after stage 21
Full classifications after three weeks of racing
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jai Hindley wins the Giro d'Italia as Matteo Sobrero eases to final day time-trial victory
Hindley becomes Australia's first-ever Giro d'Italia winner
By Pete Trifunovic • Published