Quick-thinking Uran keeps Clarke out of canal

We all know Rigoberto Urán is a versatile rider, but apparently the Cannondale captain has a knack for lifeguarding as well. His quick thinking saved teammate Simon Clarke from taking a swim in stage 11 at the Giro d’Italia after a big crash Wednesday.

Thanks to @UranRigoberto for grabbing me by the back of the jersey and saving me from going into the canal today!!pic.twitter.com/KtOabfhGTM

— Simon Clarke (@SimoClarke) May 18, 2016

Unfortunately, this video from CyclingHub.tv doesn’t quite capture the Colombian’s heroics, but Cannondale officials confirmed that Clarke’s tweet wasn’t just a joke. Clarke’s fellow Aussie, Leigh Howard of IAM, didn’t fare so well, ending up ankle-deep in the canal

First HUGE crash in this years #Giro pic.twitter.com/rriPSbrRTn

— CyclingHub.tv (@CyclingHubTV) May 18, 2016

Urán, who finished in the GC group, 13 seconds behind winner Diego Ulissi, had a laugh about the incident afterward. However, a few of his fellow competitors weren’t so lucky Wednesday. Ag2r’s Domenico Pozzovivo lost 1:30 to race leader Bob Jungels due to a crash, and Astana’s Valerio Agnoli broke the head of his radius bone and also required stitches. FDJ sprinter Arnaud Démare was also caught in the 40-rider pile-up, but X-rays did not reveal any broken bones for him.

Mijitos casi nos ponen a tirar baño!!!

A photo posted by Rigoberto Urán (@rigobertouran) on May 18, 2016 at 1:02pm PDT