Alberto Bettiol crashed hard on Strade Bianche, but thanks to his helmet he was not seriously injured.

EF Education-Easy Post's Alberto Bettiol attacked with 47 km to go in pursuit of winner Tom Pidcock, but after joining several other riders, he crashed at speed after the road took a sharp turn. Television footage captured him falling to the road.

Initially, he lay stunned on the road, but then, to the relief of those watching, he slowly began to move and was even able to get up and continue driving. However, EF Education-Easy Post decided to withdraw him from the race for precautionary reasons.

"Unfortunately, Alberto Bettiol's chance to make a strong attack in Monte Sante Marie was prematurely ended by a violent crash.

"Alberto is a little bruised and sore, but no signs of concussion at first evaluation. Our doctors will continue to monitor him closely," the team said.

Bettiol was hoping for a result in what the Tuscan rider considered his home race. He hails from Castelfiorentino, north of Siena. Bettiol assured those around him that he was not seriously injured.

"I'm fine. I had a headache and broke my helmet, but it could have been worse."

"The race was going perfectly, but the crash ruined my chances," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's a shame because when I attacked I wasn't flat out and I felt good.

"I was with Magnus Sheffield. We were together after the gravel section of Monte Sante Marie. He was probably looking around.

"I fell hard, but only hit my head. I kept going until the gravel section in Colle Pintuto, but the team pulled me out of the race for precautionary reasons.

Bettiol was not diagnosed with concussion or a head injury and is scheduled to race in Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday.