Giro d'Italia suspended after massive crash as cyclist rushed off in ambulance

Stage Six of the Giro d'Italia was brought to a halt after a mass crash caused a major pile-up in the peloton. The race had started in Potenza and was bound for Naples, but a rain-affected stage was temporarily paused after the crash.

The crash came around 72 kilometres (44 miles) from the finish line in Naples, with a Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider appearing to fall first on the wet road. The unfortunate slip sparked a major chain reaction, with around 20 riders estimated to have been taken out behind.

Almost immediately after the crash occurred, the official Giro X account posted: "Massive crash in the peloton, with many riders involved, including @RichardCarapaz, Jai Hindley, Paul Magnier and others. The race is neutralised for the moment, we'll provide updates as soon as we can."

The race got back underway around half an hour later, with the organisers saying: "No points or bonus seconds will be awarded at the RedBull KM, or at the finish. The classifications will be set at the moment of the crash. There will be no time limits. The stage win will be disputed in Napoli."

However, it was decided after discussions between the organisers and riders, led by 2023 winner Primoz Roglic, that racing would resume instead from the 60-kilometre mark, 12 kilometres closer to the finish line. Pink jersey wearer Mads Pedersen had been involved in the pile-up, but the Dane was able to continue. The leading group of Enzo Paleni (Groupama-FDJ) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarche-Wanty) were given their 50-second advantage back, before the peloton followed in pursuit.

As a result of the crash, riders, including 2022 champion Jai Hindley, were forced to abandon. Reacting to the incident on duty for TNT Sports, the commentator said: "Crash, crash, crash. There's a crash behind. We can see it, riders all over the place here.

"They are slipping and they are sliding and we are nowhere near Naples yet... oh my word they are down all over the place. We are counting the cost already and there's still 70 kilometres to go. Riders there from Movistar, riders from UAE. This is an absolute disaster."

The Giro d'Italia is the first of the year's three Grand Tours, along with the Tour de France, and Vuelta a Espana. Because the general classification race was suspended after the crash, leader Pedersen will carry a unharmed 17-second lead into day seven. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Tom Pidcock is the highest-ranked British rider, with the 25-year-old placed 14th, 56 seconds off the pink jersey.