Crisis on stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia due to bad weather: riders threatened to withdraw

The organization of Italy spin He communicated on his social networks the three options he had on the table to address the crisis generated by the strong winds, the incessant rain and the cold due to the snow.

This Monday a first meeting took place with Mauro Vegni, director of the Giro, at the request of the representatives of the teams (AIGCP) and the riders (CPA). Several measures emerged from this meeting regarding the protocol for extreme weather conditions and the safety of the runners.

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​“The Extreme Meteorological Conditions Protocol Commission met to decide the conditions for today’s stage. In the minutes, signed by all those present, which we attach, there were three options.”

The first option was to carry out the stage without any modification, the second will be run with a series of conditions: “As agreed with RCS at the request of the CPA, the following three vehicles will distribute raincoats/thermal clothing to runners who request it, to provide additional support to runners: a. Broom car – b. Race direction car No. 3 – c. Race direction car No. 4. A parking area will be created at the top of Giogo di Santa Maria (after 50.2KM) to give runners the opportunity to change cars. clothing. The race will be neutralized for 3 minutes. This action will take place on the Giogo di Santa Maria climb before or at kilometer 40”.

However, there was disagreement among several cyclists and discomfort with the organization’s decision despite the extreme weather conditions. The Giro wanted the cyclists to hold a parade in Livigno to fulfill certain sponsorship agreements, but they refused, citing risks to their safety and There was a threat to withdraw the runners, For that reason he decided on the third option.

“The Commission decided to resort to option 3: “In case of extreme weather conditions, the stage will be neutralized to a place where safety conditions are met,” the Giro said.

“All teams unanimously declared that they would not participate in the stage under the current circumstances,” the cyclists’ union had forcefully declared.

The runners will save the Col de l’Umbrail and will begin the stage in Prato di Stelvio, which will shorten the stage by about 87 kilometers. After the cancellation of the Stelvio and its summit located at 2,758 meters above sea level, it is now the Giogo di Santa Maria, or Umbrail Pass (16.7 km at 7.2%), which should abandon the route due to weather conditions.

The departure, which was agreed at 4 in the morning, Colombian time, takes place from 7:25 in the morning, from Colombia (2:25 pm from Italy) in Lasa/Laas and It will have a route of 118 kilometers, after about 87 km were shortened.

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With EFE.