Thomas Silva escapes serious injury after four riders run over his legs in horror crash
Thomas Silva avoided serious injury in a frightening crash at Gran Piemonte on Thursday, despite four riders running over his legs in the closing metres. The XDS Astana rider was able to finish the race after an incident that was captured in disturbing roadside footage.
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With the finish line in Bra just 250 metres away, Silva was following teammate Alberto Bettiol through the final right hand corner when he lost control of his bike and collided with the barriers.
The Uruguayan landed on the tarmac, directly in the path of the riders approaching from behind. His legs remained stretched across the road as the peloton swept through the corner.
Footage filmed by a spectator shows four riders making contact with Silva's legs in quick succession. The 24-year-old can be heard shouting in pain as those standing behind the barriers desperately try to warn the approaching cyclists.
Several riders were already committed to the corner when they encountered Silva on the ground, leaving them little opportunity to change direction.
Silva avoids serious injury despite frightening impact
The extent of Silva's injuries was initially unclear, but he was soon back on his bike and heading towards the finish.
He eventually finished 90th, 1 minute and 37 seconds behind Dorian Godon, who won the race ahead of Anthon Charmig and Bettiol.
XDS Astana later confirmed to Velo that the Uruguayan had not sustained any serious injuries.
For the team, the crash also meant losing its main contender for the sprint. Bettiol had been guiding Silva into the final corner and was expecting his teammate to come past him in the finishing straight.
"I was waiting for him to launch in the last corner, but I didn't see him," Bettiol told SpazioCiclismo.
The Italian went on to secure third place, although he felt XDS Astana had been capable of achieving considerably more.
"I really believe we could have finished first and second," he said.
Silva later reflected on the incident and the conclusion of his campaign in a social media post.
"We had the mind and situation to end the season differently. We had a very nice season," Silva wrote. "But no complaints, thanks for the trust team!"
The accident brought his 2026 racing programme to an end after a season in which he emerged as one of the standout performers at XDS Astana.
Silva claimed a stage victory at the Giro d'Italia and spent time in the pink leader's jersey. He also won the Vuelta a Castilla y León and Villafranca de Ordizia, followed by a stage win and the overall title at the Arctic Race of Norway.
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