On the last major descent from the category 1 climb Collada Sobirana, he completely mistimed a turn with about 30 kilometers to go, causing him to crash over the mountainside at 60 kilometers per hour.
"I was drinking on the descent and misjudged a corner. I overshot it and went down the ravine. It was like one of these horror crashes you see, but I am okay. I’ll go for a check, but I think I’m okay. I am lucky I could talk on the radio. I was far from the road, and nobody knew I was there. I’m happy I could finish the stage", says Pidcock to the Q36.5 website.
However, he also states that he is "very lucky that he is doing well." "I was lucky that I could talk over the radio. I was far away from the road, and no one knew I was there."
Despite the serious crash, the team was able to find Pidcock, after which he was able to get a new bike and complete the stage.
The British star, who otherwise was expected to play a role in the race for the top of the podium on the stage, finished in 116th place, 29 minutes and 4 seconds behind the Danish winner, Jonas Vingegaard.
For Pidcock, however, it was not the disappointment of missing out on the stage win that was his immediate reaction after the violent crash, but rather the joy that he, like a cat, only lost one of his "nine lives".
"I am happy that I was able to complete the stage. I will proclaim myself a "ninja crasher". I was traveling at 60 kilometers per hour over a mountainside, and I am relatively okay," the Q36.5 captain said after the race.
The initial examinations revealed no signs of serious injury. During Friday evening, Pidcock was to undergo further medical examinations, after which a new update will follow on Saturday if there is anything new.
