Massive crash neutralizes Giro stage 6. Groves sprints to victory, Pedersen stays in pink

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Australian cyclist Kaden Groves sprinted to victory in a chaotic sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia that had be neutralized following a massive crash on Thursday.

When 2022 winner Jai Hindley slid on the wet roads, riders toppled in domino style with about 70 kilometers (43 miles) left on the 227-kilometer (141-mile) route from Potenza to Naples.

Hindley was taken to hospital with reported concussion and other riders also had to abandon the three-week race.

With all of the ambulances in use, the stage was neutralized for safety reasons while it was discussed how best to continue.

Two breakaway riders and the peloton were brought to a halt. The race resumed with about 60 kilometers remaining and the decision that only the stage win would count and no points, time gaps or bonuses would be awarded.

The pack rides during the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race from Potenza to Naples, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

That option allowed Naples to get its stage finish and the sprinters could vie for a prestigious win but the overall contenders could remain as safe as possible.

Overall leader Mads Pedersen, who won three of the opening five stages, preserved his 17-second advantage over pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic, and Mathias Vacek was another seven seconds back.

Groves beat Milan Fretin in a much-reduced bunch sprint to the finish line after the longest stage of this Giro, with Paul Magnier third.

It was Groves’ first win of the year after a knee injury sidelined the Alpecin–Deceuninck rider for several races.

“The team always believes in me,” he said. “With the injury I missed a lot of racing and I was arriving here without a win, so the first one for the year is a big relief.

Australia’s Kaden Groves celebrates winning the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race from Potenza to Naples, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

“Once it started raining, I felt quite a bit better, actually. I’m quite good in the colder weather conditions. I had confidence in my team also, I believe in them, and they always do a super job.”

Friday’s seventh stage sees the first summit finish in the hardest leg so far. There are four classified climbs on the 168-kilometer route from Castel di Sangro, including the top category ascent to the finish in Tagliacozzo.

The Giro ends in Rome on June 1.

Australia’s Kaden Groves, center, crosses the finish line to win the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race from Potenza to Naples, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Massimo Paolone /LaPresse via AP)
Denmark’s Mads Pedersen wears the pink jersey of the race overall leader as he celebrates on the podium after completing the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race from Potenza to Naples, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.