'Crashing at 75kph, you're never going to walk away unscathed' – Jake Stewart and NSN's Giro d'Italia sprint dreams not derailed by injury setbacks

NSN’s ambitions for the Giro d’Italia sprint stages remain intact despite a significant setback caused by a high-speed crash on stage 2 that involved more than half the team. Jake Stewart, who has been transitioning into a leadout role, emphasised the squad’s focus on supporting their primary sprinters, Corbin Strong and Ethan Vernon, rather than pursuing individual glory. Vernon’s third-place finish on the opening stage demonstrated the team’s potential, but the crash disrupted their momentum, leaving several riders nursing injuries and forcing a cautious approach in the early days of the race. The crash, which occurred at approximately 75kph, left Stewart and teammate Dion Smith with bruises and road rash, but both are recovering steadily. Stewart described the incident as a tough blow but noted that the team’s collective spirit remains strong as they adapt to the challenges. The subsequent stages, including the transfer to Italy, saw gradual improvement in performance, with the team beginning to regain confidence and push harder as the race progressed. Stewart highlighted that the team’s strategy is straightforward: to back Vernon on flat sprints and Strong on hillier finishes, tailoring their efforts to the parcours. Stewart’s experience in Grand Tours, including last year’s Giro with Groupama-FDJ and two Tours de France, has been invaluable in managing the physical and mental demands of a three-week race. He believes his development over the past three years has put him in a much stronger position to contribute effectively to the team’s goals. Despite having the Tour de France later in the season, Stewart insists on focusing solely on the Giro for now, to avoid compromising his performance by dividing his attention between events. Looking ahead, NSN sees several promising opportunities for stage wins, with around six or seven sprint stages remaining. The upcoming stage 6 in Naples presents a particular challenge due to its tricky cobbled finish and potentially slippery roads, but Stewart is optimistic that the technical nature of the finale could play to the team’s strengths. He believes their firepower and positioning skills give them an edge in more complex sprint scenarios compared to straightforward finishes, reinforcing their determination to capitalise on the remaining chances in the race.