Cyclists are some hardy feckers
We're well used to seeing cyclists scratched and bloodied following high speed crashes in big races, but we reckon Paolo Tiralongo deserves special praise for completing the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday.
The Italian was caught up in a serious pile-up in the final 30km of the race and suffered these gruesome eye injuries that resulted in blood pouring down his face until he finished the stage.
https://twitter.com/portavoztabasco/status/635639294414057476
The 38-year-old Italian later posted a picture of his stitched-up wounds, which, frankly, look no less painful.
https://twitter.com/nedboulting/status/635529825227251713
To make matters worse, Tiralongo worked tirelessly to bring Astana team-mate Vincenzo Nibali, who was also caught up in the spill, back to the peloton, only to have the former Tour de France winner disqualified for receiving an illegal tow from a team car.
Video footage showed Nibali rapidly speed away from the group of riders he was with when the team car draws alongside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSQW8OX8VqA
Meanwhile, it was a super day for Irish riders Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin, who finished third and fourth respectively and now hold the same positions in the overall classification.
