The second day of racing on the CIC-Tour Féminin Worldwide des Pyrénées ought to have centered on an epic, laborious day of racing for the ladies’s professional peloton with 82km propelling 24 groups to a remaining 13.3km showdown on the legendary ski resort, Hautacam. As a substitute, rider protests over a plethora of security issues abbreviated the actual racing to only a hill climb.
Again up in the future to the opening stage of the CIC-Tour Féminin Worldwide des Pyrénées. What ought to have been an easy, flat day of racing for 136 professional ladies within the discipline on Friday changed into a minefield of hazards. Random automobiles have been allowed to maneuver towards the peloton on a closed course, parked automobiles and vehicles cluttered the ending roads and pedestrians have been allowed to arbitrarily wander backwards and forwards throughout the sector of play. Riders have been compelled to weave round some visitors within the remaining two kilometres.
Harmful outcomes could have been averted in these moments, however lingering issues and questions on security generated a firestorm of in a single day negotiations, led by Adam Hansen, president of the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA). The pinnacle of the riders’ union held late-night negotiations with groups, UCI officers and race organisers, saying that the organisers would put “completely different measures” in place for stage 2, specifically extra police motorbikes to brush the course and eradicate risks.
“11:30pm and eventually spoken to everybody…. There was a name this night with the Organiser, staff consultant, @women_cpa and myself. The organiser is placing in several measures for tomorrow to have extra Police motorbikes. The groups and the @cpacycling push for assure’s for the security of the ladies. After the decision I spoke to the UCI to replace on the scenario of our name and tomorrow you’ll hear extra. Good luck and keep secure,” Hansen wrote on social media after stage 1.
He then posted a second Tweet on Saturday morning thanking all events concerned in negotiations – CPA Girls consultant Alex Cappellotto, groups’ consultant Jolien D’hoore, the UCI and the race organiser, Affiliation Française des Coureures Cyclistes. He once more stated “I hope all goes effectively.”
His hopes didn’t maintain for lengthy. The primary 25km of Saturday’s stage 2 have been neutralised, making the shortest route of the three-day stage race, initially 96km, even shorter. Riders have been nonetheless involved about what security measures have been in place for the second day of racing, particularly the elevated variety of motorbikes now in shut proximity to the peloton.
Then racing commenced, however for under about 28km earlier than the peloton got here to an entire cease on the course. Extra roadside discussions ensued concerning the way by which the motorbikes handed by means of the peloton, many riders saying the motos have been transferring dangerously.
After a dialogue with officers, Audrey Cordon-Ragot (Human Powered Well being) addressed the peloton to say riders would proceed in one other impartial procession to the foot of the end climb and race from there. The race commissioners have been famous as saying, “Security was met all through the route” and “It was determined to renew noting that if they didn’t proceed it might rely as abandonment”.
Nonetheless, Eurosport/ GCN cameras caught sight of a rider signalling a stray automotive parked on the course because the peloton sped by means of a populated space with 21.2km to go.
Stage 2 finally reached a completion with Marta Cavalli (FDJ SUEZ) profitable atop the Hautacam, and dethroning Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal Quickstep) because the race chief.
Stage 3 was scheduled to proceed as deliberate for the ultimate day of racing Sunday, 126km from Nay to Bosdarros. Cavalli carried a three-second lead over Moolman-Pasio for the GC title, and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM) eight seconds again.
Adam Hansen tweet after stage 1:
As a result of scenario of yesterday in Stage one, of the CIC-Tour Féminin Worldwide des Pyrénées, all of us got here to an settlement. I would love thank @women_cpa (@AlexCappellotto), @UCI_cycling, groups consultant @JolienDhoore and the organiser. I respect the additional steps. I… pic.twitter.com/78gwEBGkZIJune 10, 2023
Tweets throughout stage 2 when riders stopped:
🚗 “La seguridad se cumplía a lo largo del recorrido”🚴♀️ “Se decidió reanudar advirtiendo que si no seguían contaría como abandono”🧐 “La carrera se reemprendió en condiciones seguras”🙏 Así explican los comisarios la situación en Pyrénées#EsenciaCiclista #TourPyrenees pic.twitter.com/KzvsGlt1XNJune 10, 2023
🧐 Aquí el momento en el que Audrey Cordon-Ragot explica lo que va a suceder en la 2ª etapa del Tour des Pyrénées🏔️ Neutralización hasta la ascensión a Hautacam, aquella que no quiera seguir constará como abandono #EsenciaCiclista #TourPyrenees #CICTourFéminin pic.twitter.com/RRfdcJs8g8June 10, 2023
