Wiggins crashes on day of drama in Giro

On easily the most dramatic day of this year’s Giro d’Italia so far, Adam Hansen of Lotto Belisol won the seventh stage with a fine solo effort but all the talking was about Bradley Wiggins who crashed and lost over a minute to many of his main rivals.

Hansen crossed the finish line in rain-soaked Pescara over a minute ahead of Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani Valvole) and Danilo Di Luca (Vini Fantini) with Wiggins timed at 1:24 seconds and he now lies in 23rd position overall.

The new leader is Benat Intxausti (Movistar), five seconds ahead of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and eight seconds ahead of defending champion Ryder Hesjedal. All three finished more than a minute after Hansen following a downpour that caused havoc in the peloton.