Urška Žigart was taken to hospital after crashing during stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse Women, with AG Insurance-Soudal confirming that the Slovenian rider was involved in an incident on the run-in to Locarno.
The crash happened out of view of the television cameras, but local reports from Ticino indicate that at least four riders were involved in a fall near the start of the final kilometre. The exact cause and the full extent of any injuries have not yet been confirmed.
Žigart transported to hospital after stage 2
Žigart had lost contact with the best riders on the two late climbs in the finale and was riding in a chasing group when the incident occurred. She did not reach the finish in the usual way, although she was later placed last in the official stage result at 2:15 behind stage winner Elisa Longo Borghini.
That was the same time as Femke de Vries, which suggests Žigart may have been given the time of the group she was riding in under the final-three-kilometre rule. The exact race circumstances have not yet been clarified.
AG Insurance-Soudal confirmed after the stage that Žigart had been taken to hospital. At this stage, the team has not provided a further medical update.
Local reports point to crash near final kilometre
Italian-language reports from Ticino described a crash involving several riders close to the finish in Locarno. Witnesses said at least four cyclists came down near the beginning of the final kilometre, with medical assistance arriving quickly.
The reports also suggested that the road surface may have played a role. A dip or irregularity in the road had reportedly been marked with fluorescent spray, but one witness said the warning was not enough to prevent the crash.
“It was clear that it was not safe,” one local witness said. “We pointed it out several times, then the organisation intervened in some way, but it certainly cannot be said that the intervention was effective. This accident could have been avoided.”
Another witness described the immediate aftermath as worrying, saying one rider remained on the ground for a long time.
“They were endless moments, we were afraid,” the witness said.
Caluori also confirms crash in final kilometre
Further evidence of the crash came from Ginia Caluori, who posted her Tour de Suisse Women stage 2 ride on Strava with the note: “Chasing group and crash in last km.” The Swiss rider also shared an image showing a cut and bruised elbow, confirming that she was among those affected by the incident.
That adds more detail to the local reports from Ticino, which had already suggested that at least four riders came down close to the finish. It now appears the crash involved riders from the chasing group behind the main contenders, with Caluori and Žigart both caught in the final-kilometre incident.
It is still not clear whether Žigart was the rider who remained on the ground for an extended period, nor whether any other riders sustained significant injuries. AG Insurance-Soudal have confirmed only that Žigart was taken to hospital, while Caluori’s own post points to visible road rash rather than giving a formal medical update.
That uncertainty remains important. The available information confirms a multi-rider crash near the finish, with Žigart transported to hospital and Caluori also showing injuries from the incident. Beyond that, the full medical picture is still incomplete.
Longo Borghini wins as crash overshadows finish
Elisa Longo Borghini won the stage into Locarno, but the closing kilometres were overshadowed by the crash behind. With the incident happening outside the main television coverage, details emerged only afterwards through team confirmation and local reports from the finish area.
The Women’s WorldTour race continues while further updates are awaited on Žigart and any other riders caught in the incident. Until AG Insurance-Soudal provide more information, the safest reading is that Žigart’s race is now in serious doubt while medical checks are carried out.
The sporting result sits behind the health of the riders involved. A crash so close to the finish, on a section that witnesses described as problematic, is likely to raise questions about the final-kilometre approach and how clearly hazards were marked for a peloton arriving at speed.
