“I hope the UCI wakes up soon” – Team Visma | Lease a Bike heaps more pressure on the UCI after disaster at Volta ao Algarve
Cycling
Drama unfolded on the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve as chaos ensued in the final kilometre in a moment the race organisers and the UCI will want to forget...again.
A major mishap occurred when almost the entire peloton took a wrong turn at a roundabout, and things could've been a lot worse. The large group of riders then sped through the crowded deviation lane at high speed, navigating the wrong side of the barriers. As a result, there was officially no stage winner.
Filippo Ganna was the first to cross the finish line, but his victory was stripped away due to the debacle, adding to the controversy surrounding the race.
This incident comes at a time when the UCI is already under fire for its handling of rider safety. The governing body has faced increasing criticism in early 2025, and this latest disaster only fuels concerns about race organisation and security.
Spectators lining the course were put at significant risk, as the wayward peloton could have easily caused dangerous collisions with the fans watching on.
Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Arthur van Dongen expressed his frustration in a press release, stating: "It is embarrassing that this can happen. Professional cycling has once again lost credibility. The riders’ safety must be the top priority, but the organisers fell short in that regard.
"Fortunately, there were no serious accidents, because this could have ended very badly. Safety in cycling remains a major issue. I hope the UCI wakes up soon."
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