SHOULD THE GC HAVE BEEN NEUTRALISED?
Marc Reef felt it was the right call, and I think few would disagree with the ultimate decision. The issue was the way it came about, on the fly, only at the urging of riders after they’d been through the circuit. I think it’s a bit of a storm in a teacup, but agree that it makes the Giro look a bit tinpot.
Fences, props, rails – Visma boss Reef explains ‘dangerous’ Stage 15 conditions
Video credit: TNT Sports
What should they learn from th experience, then? The Cycling Podcast’s Lionel Birnie yesterday made a strong case for the UCI changing the way flat stages are set out:
The riders acknowledge that the presence of the GC contenders and their teammates is one of the aggravating factors during sprint finishes, increasing the risks for everyone. But the sprinters will also highlight the fact that they have to survive the mountain stages inside the time limit. So perhaps the answer is to have an equivalent time limit on the sprint stages. Take the GC times at 10 (or in this case 16) kilometres to go but anyone sitting up to stay out of trouble must finish within a certain time of the winner, meaning they can’t just coast to the line but have to carry on riding at a similar intensity to the front group, just without the jostling for position and danger. If they miss the time cut they get their actual elapsed time. This introduces a sporting element of risk and reward for the GC riders to consider and the best option would probably suit everyone – the GC riders sit at the back of the peloton without losing contact safe in the knowledge that if gaps open up they won’t lose unnecessary time.