Video has emerged showing the moment of panic inside the Jumbo-Visma team car when Primož Roglič was hit by a mechanical at the Giro d’Italia.
Roglič suffered a disastrous stage 15 of the race, when he was hit by bike trouble while chasing his rivals on the road to Como.
The Slovenian needed a bike change with around 20km left to race, with his team car nowhere in sight as the sports directors had stopped for a toilet break.
Video footage from inside the car has been released and shows the moment of panic as they realise their leader needs assistance.
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Roglič was forced to jump on the bike of his team-mate Antwan Tolhoek and get back into the chase, but disaster struck once again as he descended the tight and technical roads in northern Italy, when he ran wide on a corner and crashed into a barrier.
He was able to re-mount, eventually finishing 40 seconds down on Giro d'Italia leader Richard Carapaz (Movistar).
Speaking after the stage team sports director Addy Engels said they had stopped for a pee and that is why he was not there with the team car to give Roglič his spare bike.
“We supplied him with a few bottles and we needed quick break to take a pee,” said Engels. “The moment we got into the car, I don’t know what happened, but we heard on the radio that he needed a new bike. In terms of timing and bad luck, it was the worst that could happen.”
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Roglič said: “I actually didn’t have my bike so everything is a little different and I was a little too fast in the corner, but I was happy we did that, so not a big deal.
“Yeah, not the best but also not the worst, so at the end I’m happy with it.
“Unlucky? Yeah, it’s true, but like I said, it’s still some days to go.
“I’m OK, I’m happy that I finished the stage and now I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s rest day.”
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