Ill-starred Australian cycling star Jay Vine has suffered a broken elbow and concussion in his Giro d'Italia-ending crash -- but his decimated UAE Team Emirates-XRG team have been left relieved his injuries weren't even more serious.
The 30-year-old Vine, who suffered a third serious crash in just 13 days of racing in 2026 and has now endured a reported 23 spills in his brilliant but accident-filled five-year career, will not need surgery, the team revealed on Sunday.
But UAE, the peloton's most powerful outfit, limped on in the Giro over the third stage in Bulgaria with a shell of a team after three of their most powerful members -- Vine, Marc Soler and team leader Adam Yates -- were all forced to abandon after Saturday's high-speed crash on a soaking right-hand turn.
There was nothing Vine could have done about the crash with 22km left as Soler's front wheel appeared to slip from beneath him, bringing down the Australian, among others, behind him as they careered into a roadside barrier.
"Unfortunately, we were badly affected by the crash on stage two yesterday," Dr Adrian Rotunno, UAE Team Emirates' medical director, said on Sunday.
"Jay Vine suffered a concussion and an elbow fracture. Marc Soler has a pelvic fracture. At this stage, neither should require surgery.
"Adam Yates suffered heavy abrasions and a laceration to his left ear. He was initially assessed on-site for concussion and cleared to continue, but subsequently, he has shown delayed concussive symptoms. He will not take the start of stage three today.
"All three are under observation of our medical staff and will travel home in the coming days to continue their recovery and rehab."
As the race continued, there was a second stage triumph for Frenchman Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step), who was victor on the opening stage and this time prevailed in another sprint finish, catching Italy's favourite Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) on the line in Sofia at the end of the 175km stage from Plovdiv.
Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) was third.
"I dreamed about it, and it was a goal to go for the stage again," Magnier said.
There was no change in the general classification, with Uruguayan stage-two winner Guillermo Thomas Silva holding on to the maglia rosa leader's jersey.
The Giro arrives at its Italian home on Tuesday, following Monday's rest day, with stage four's 138-km ride from Catanzaro to Cosenza.
