Italian wins Giro stage

Alberto Dainese became the first Italian rider to win a stage in this year’s Giro d’Italia by sprinting to Reggio Emilia to victory in the 11th leg, and Juan Pedro López kept the pink jersey.

On a bizarre note, an accident with a prosecco cork while celebrating his historic stage victory at Tuesday’s stage forced Biniam Girmay to pull out of the race.

The Eritrean rider became the first Black African to win a stage at a grand tour when he beat Mathieu van der Poel in the sprint to the line in Jesi in the 10th stage. But he had to be taken to a local hospital after getting injured when he popped a prosecco cork into his left eye during the podium celebration.

Medical tests revealed a haemorrhage in his eye and the team doctor said it was “strongly recommended” he avoid physical activity.

“The news about the incident felt like a cold shower,” said Girmay’s team director, Valerio Piva. “It is of course a pity to lose an element like Biniam, but the advice of the medical team is clear and the health of Biniam is our priority.”

Girmay, 22, still celebrated with his Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux teammates when he returned from the hospital.

• Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak was given a one-year ban for displaying a symbol on his uniform supporting the invasion of Ukraine.

Kuliak had taped the “Z” symbol — seen on Russian tanks and military vehicles in Ukraine and embraced by supporters of the war — to his vest for a medal ceremony at a World Cup event in March.