"I wonder now if there will be external pressures. It was talked about, even if the teams or the organizers put pressure on the riders, the riders said they would stick together no matter what because it's clear that the situation even now is worse. Their health and safety is the top priority," Hansen commented on Twitter earlier this morning hours before the start of the stage.
Here is the communiqué, which basically explains that the weather conditions are not suitable and that, for the health and physical integrity of the cyclists, they should be transferred in cars and buses to the descent of the Umbrailpass and start from there the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2024:
COMMUNICATION FROM THE PROFESSIONAL CYCLISTS ASSOCIATION (CPA)
"According to UCI regulations, the "Extreme Weather Protocol" (EWP) gives priority to the health and safety of the riders. Given this year's events, we must emphasize the importance of the EWP's main objective: 'Health and Safety.'
The official Giro weather app and Google weather forecast predict a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius with a 95% chance of snow on the Umbrail Pass. This will directly affect the day's second descent of nearly 20km in freezing cold conditions.
The pre-meeting discussions do not conform to EWP guidelines under UCI rules or the ethics of the sport, especially given the current forecast. The goal of the riders is to compete and have fun, not to face a situation where they must stop at 2,498 meters altitude in a parking lot, change clothes in 2 degree weather with a high probability of snow, and then continue the race. These conditions carry significant health risks, especially during the descent of the Umbrail pass. This is 2024; stopping and resuming racing in such conditions is unacceptable. As one DS said, "This will be a shitshow!".
The UCI regulations state that the EWP must intervene under the following conditions:
Item 1 - Freezing rain.
Item 4 - Extreme temperatures.
It is predicted that the Umbrail pass will see freezing snow and rain combined with extreme temperatures, followed by a long descent. The removal of this climb would address the concerns outlined in the UCI EWP, specifically points 1 and 4.
In accordance with UCI rules, the necessary alterations to the route as defined in Decision 3 (Route Change) must be implemented. This includes the elimination of the climb up the Umbrailpass, where these severe weather conditions exist, to ensure the health and safety of the riders. The riders are united on this issue, with 100% of the teams voting in favor of the change. They have unanimously declared that they will not participate in the stage under the current conditions. This collective decision highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate action. The strong position of the riders underlines the commitment to their health and safety and to the integrity of the race.
Runners agree with the proposal from the AIGCP meeting: register in Livigno, travel by car/van along the race route to the other side of the Umbrailpass, and start from there to avoid the icy snow. This would allow the race to run smoothly, ensuring rider could perform safely and deliver an exciting race to the finish."
