A dramatic crash during the Giro d’Italia left professional cyclist Alessio Martinelli hospitalized after falling down a 50-foot hill during a treacherous turn on a rain-slicked road.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 27, while the 24-year-old Italian rider was navigating a corner on the wet streets of San Valentino. As captured in a video posted by journalist René Bugner on X, Martinelli lost control, slid across the roadway, and slipped underneath a roadside barrier before tumbling over a steep ravine estimated to be 30 to 50 feet deep.
The official Giro d’Italia X account swiftly confirmed Martinelli’s involvement, stating that “ambulances and the medical teams are by his side” as emergency crews rushed to assist him.
Rescue personnel helped Martinelli up from the ravine and transported him to a nearby hospital on a stretcher. Photos from the scene showed visible blood around his mouth, highlighting the severity of the impact.
His team, VF Group–Bardiani CSF–Faizanè, provided reassurance on social media following the crash. “Martinelli, victim of a fall, was taken to the hospital. He is currently conscious, and his condition is stable,” the team reported.
In a fortunate turn, a later medical update confirmed that Martinelli had not suffered any fractures. “Medical examinations ruled out fractures. The only traumas reported were to the chin and right buttock,” the team said in a follow-up post on X.
Accompanying the update was a photo of Martinelli lying in a hospital bed, giving a thumbs up to the camera, a bandage clearly visible on his chin.
Supporters flooded the replies with messages of concern and encouragement, many expressing disbelief that the cyclist escaped without more serious injuries. One fan summed up the sentiment best: “It’s a miracle.”
Despite the terrifying fall, Martinelli’s stable condition and positive outlook have offered relief to the cycling community as he begins his road to recovery.
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