Stage 3 of Paris-Nice could have been the second successful test of the new UCI Extreme Weather Protocol, but instead, rapidly changing weather led the peloton into a snow storm with no alternate route planned. The officials only cancelled the stage when it became impossible for riders to continue.
The event was exactly what the protocol was designed to prevent, and came despite updated rules put into place surrounding the pre-race meeting that is to take place if bad weather is anticipated.
Cannondale team manager Jonathan Vaughters was critical of the Paris-Nice organisation on Twitter, writing, "I wonder when the powers that be in Paris-Nice will stop avoiding clearly written rules regards weather?"
ADVERTISEMENT
Geraint Thomas (Sky) appeared to criticize the lack of an alternate route, also writing on Twitter, "Maybe there was another road we could have taken to get to the finish, that didn't go as high? And we could have raced #justathought".
Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) was surprised that the forecast of snow went unheeded. "A shame with all the technology we have nobody can make a decision be4 the stage as our team knew that there will be snow at the feeding," he stated on Twitter.
The lack of a solid pre-race plan came despite updated the protocol after the Clasica Almeria, where the morning meeting over dangerous wind conditions led to arguments over the plan for the day and miscommunication between the race organisation and the peloton.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/1U5IjfY
No comments:
Post a Comment