Cycling professionals demonstrate, course modification, kickoff delayed
Cyclists change Giro d'Italia route due to two-degree temperatures and high snow chances. The rider's union warns of potential health risks, with Tadej Pogacar finding the situation dangerous.
Due to the extreme weather conditions, the route of the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia was changed on Tuesday. The original plan to cross the Umbrail Pass at two degrees and a 95% chance of snow was considered unsafe by the professional cyclists, who refused to proceed. The riders' union CPA described this as "considerable health risks" and questioned the UCI's regulations for such weather scenarios.
The organizer, RCS, ultimately decided to start the stage in Livigno. The riders would first be driven to the base of the Stelvio Pass, where the actual start would occur. Fellow rider Tadej Pogacar expressed his concern, saying, "It's really bad weather. I've already seen snowflakes at our hotel, which is 1900 meters above sea level. It must be covered in snow 600 meters higher up. Driving down there is dangerous."
Riders' Union: "Unacceptable"
The initial plan for the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia involved crossing the 2498-meter Umbrail Pass before heading towards the finish in Val Gardena/Gröden. However, the organizers had recently replaced the intended Stelvio Pass due to the risk of avalanches. Riders' union CPA condemned the decision to stop the race, changing the circumstances, stating that it is "unacceptable to stop and restart races in such situations." Furthermore, Adam Hansen, CPA's president, critiqued the situation, noting, "The riders' goal is to compete, not to halt in a parking lot at an altitude of 2498 meters, change in two-degree weather with a high chance of snow and then continue."
Prior to the last six stages of the Tour of Italy, Tadej Pogacar leads the pack with nearly seven minutes. #tourdeitalia #cycling #weather #safety
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In light of the impending storm, the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia was moved away from Italy's Umbrail Pass. Tadej Pogacar, a prominent cyclist, voiced his concerns about the safety of cycling in such severe weather conditions.
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