New Zealander Cyclist Dion Smith was startled during the third stage of Giro D ”Italy, after almost being knocked down from his bicycle for an uncontrolled goat on Sunday.
The bizarre incident occurred during the 160km stage of the prestigious race, which began and ended in the Albanian town of Vlorë, when the platoon was in a quick descent.
Goat recognizes the GOAT 🐐
Dion Smith is the chosen man for this Giro d’Italia 🩷
-Intermarché-Wanty (@intermarchew)
Smith, who runs through the Intermarche – Wanty team, said he spotted a small flock of goats by the road and moved to the right side to avoid any possible collision.
Unfortunately for him, one of the goats decided to cross the road, right in the cyclist’s path. Perhaps anticipating the collision, the images showed the goat jumping in the air and brushing the Smith’s leg and rear wheel.
It was pushed to Beira Gramada as a result, but managed to stay on the bike and return to the road shortly after. Meanwhile, the goat apparently did not get hurt and trotted.
“I didn’t have much time to think., The policeman was trying to keep them all together, and then one or two began to cross,” Smith said, adding that he still loves animals.
“I mean, what can I say? I didn’t know which direction to go, and everyone else went to the left. I chose the right, but in the end it was okay.”
