Three Tinkoff-Saxo riders were involved in today’s big bunch pile-up on stage 5 of Tour of Austria, where no less than 50 riders had to face the tarmac. Pawel Poljanski, sixth in the GC, and Evgeny Petrov were able to continue, while Bruno Pires unfortunately broke his collarbone. The stage was won by Johann Van Zyl in a bunch sprint.
 
After counting the casualties of stage 5 in Austria, Bruno Cenghialta, team sports director, notes that he expects GC rider Pawel Poljanski to recover ahead of the important stage 6, while Bruno Pires will have to undergo an operation to stabilize his fractured collarbone.
 
“Today was not a good day. We witnessed an incredible crash in the peloton within the final part of the stage. More than 50 riders crashed at the same time and three of our guys were unfortunately affected. It was worst for Bruno Pires, who fractured his collarbone, while Pawel Poljanski and Evgeny Petrov were able to continue and finish with the peloton after the race had been neutralized for some kilometers”, comments Bruno Cenghialta and adds:
 
“It’s important for our chances that Pawel is not too marked by the crash. I hope, but also believe, that he will be all right tomorrow for the mountain stage, where we face Grossglockner and Kitzbühler Horn in a day that will most likely decide the race”.

The stage was eventually won by Johann Van Zyl (MTN). For Cenghialta however, the most important job of the day was to support the riders and especially Bruno Pires, who awaits an operation at the hospital in Lienz.
 
“It’s always a pity, when one of your riders has to abandon a race and face a period of recovery. Fortunately, the fracture is not complicated and he will undergo a routine operation to stabilize the fracture on his collarbone. The entire team wish him a speedy recovery and we will do our best in the remaining stages starting tomorrow”, finishes Bruno Cenghialta.