italian cyclist dario cataldoThe 38-year-old rider crashed hard with five kilometers to go in the opening stage of Volta a Catalunya, a race ultimately won by Primoz Roglic of Slovenia. The incident happened as the peloton was surging forward to position itself for the uphill run into Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The crash occurred on a street in Platja d’Aro as riders pushed for the finish.
cataldoA former Movistar rider, he struck the pavement with force and sustained a serious sequence of injuries. The trauma included damage to the left femoral head and the ball-and-socket joint of the right hip, fractures across two lumbar vertebrae, multiple ribs, and a broken left clavicle. He also experienced a bilateral pneumothorax due to the impact. The Trek-Segafredo team issued a statement saying the rider remained conscious and hemodynamically stable after the fall.
Volta a Catalunya: Roglic defeats Evenepoel as the race opens
The injured rider was transported by ambulance to Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona for emergency assessment and treatment. Among the clinicians on scene was Doctor Alex Flor Costa, who has previously been recognized for his role in life-saving care during another Volta moment when Italian cyclist Sonny Colbrelli required urgent intervention at Sant Feliu de Guíxols last year.
cataldo stands in need of surgical repair for the thighbone fracture. The accident also involved several British riders who were part of the field, with some patients reaching the finish well after the main peloton had crossed the line. The day’s stage confirmed Roglic’s strong form and set the tone for a Volta that has drawn growing attention from fans around the world. He managed to finish well ahead of the field, while the stage’s dramatic incident drew a chorus of concern from teams and spectators alike.
had surgery
The medical team prepared for operative care, and the plan is to operate to address the fracture in his femur. The incident underscored the sport’s risks in high-velocity sprint finishes, where a small contact can lead to major consequences for a rider’s health and for the team’s race plans. As the Volta unfolds, teammates and competitors alike are rallying around cataldo, whose condition continues to be monitored as updates are provided by his medical staff. The race, meanwhile, presses on with shared respect for the rider’s recovery and safety of the peloton as central concerns. (Trek team)