Race news
UAE sports director explains Narvaez’s bus collision after whiplash symptoms forced Giro withdrawal
Jhonatan Narváez's unexpected withdrawal from the Giro d’Italia has now been explained by UAE Team Emirates XRG sports director Manuele Mori, who revealed that the Ecuadorian had crashed into a team bus the day before abandoning the race.
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Luca Bettini / Cor Vos
Speaking to BS Bicisport, Mori said the incident happened after Thursday’s stage to Pieve di Soligo, while Narváez was riding back towards the team buses.
“Jhonatan was a bit distracted and was looking at his bike computer while returning to the buses,” Mori explained. “A bus in front of him braked, he didn’t notice, and there was an impact.”
At first, the accident did not appear to be serious. Narváez was left with stiffness in his neck and back, symptoms Mori described as “the classic whiplash” after a blow.
But the situation changed dramatically the following morning, shortly after the start of the decisive Dolomites stage. Narváez, who had been one of the standout riders of the race wwith 3 stage wins and was fighting for the points classification, quickly began to struggle.
“Friday he suffered from the start,” Mori said. “I think also because of the heat and the effort, and he started bleeding from the nose. He had dizzy spells, probably also a bit of fear, and together with the race doctors we decided to stop him.”
Mori stressed that the decision was made as a precaution, especially after Narvaez’s condition worsened during the stage.
“Before the start everything seemed fine, apart from some stiffness,” he said. “But during the race he felt unwell, so we made the decision to withdraw him, also as a precaution.”
The withdrawal was a painful blow for both rider and team. Narváez had fought throughout the Giro to stay in contention for the maglia ciclamino, going head to head with Paul Magnier of Soudal Quick-Step, and his abandon removed one of the race’s most consistent protagonists from the final weekend.
“He was very disappointed and upset, because he really cared,” Mori said. “He fought every day to bring home the ciclamino jersey. We were all very disappointed, but health is more important.”
Narvaez has already left Italy, with Mori confirming that he flew home on Saturday morning. Whether he will line up at the Tour de France remains uncertain.
“I don’t know that yet,” he said. “Matxin and the technical staff will decide later. But certainly, after some rest, he will be ready to return to racing.”
Earlier this year, Narváez was already sidelined for the Spring Classics after fracturing several thoracic vertebrae, with stable compression fractures, in a heavy crash on Stage 4 of the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under.
