Michael Gogl escapes serious injury in motorbike crash

The crash occurred with roughly 29 kilometres remaining in the stage as the pace intensified at the front of the race, when Gogl lost control and hit the ground on the road surface.

Moments later, a motorbike, which was travelling behind the riders, collided with the Austrian while he was still on the asphalt. The impact created a tense scene in the middle of the race as other riders navigated around the fallen rider and officials quickly reacted to the situation.

Gogl remained seated on the asphalt for a moment in pain, but eventually managed to finish the stage. “This was not exactly how I expected my day to go…,” he later wrote on social media.

After the race Alpecin-Premier Tech stated on social media that "Unfortunately Michael Gogl crashed, but the damage is limited to abrasions and bruises. He is expected to start again tomorrow. Phew!"

The stage was won by Gogl's teammate Mathieu van der Poel, who took his second victory of the race and is now well on his way to securing the points classification.