"It was scary in the peloton" - Tobias Foss gives revealing riders-eye view from cancelled Tre Valli Varesine

Although it only lasted around 60km before being cancelled, the 2024 edition of Tre Valli Varesine is one that will last long in the memories of all the riders involved. One of those, was the INEOS Grenadiers' former time-trial world champion Tobias Foss.

Awful downpours of rain that refused to relent, pelted the peloton from above on Tuesday afternoon in Lombardy, while the road became more river-like due to flooded drains and popped out manhole covers. In the end, despite the women's race being raced to a conclusion a few hours earlier, a Tadej Pogacar-led protest by the riders forced race organisers to call a mid-race cancellation, sending the riders back to the safety and warmth of their respective team buses.

As mentioned, one of those riders in the race alongside Pogacar, was INEOS Grenadiers' Tobias Foss. "A special race, but lots of water and manhole covers that fluttered due to the water," recounts the Norwegian in a text message to Max after the race. "It was fine in the break, but I can see that it could have been very uncomfortable in the peloton. It was scary in the peloton before I got going too, especially because the water often covered up big holes that you couldn't see. So in the end it was the right decision."

For the former Norwegian national champion, the 2024 season isn't completely over yet. After the damp squib that was Tre Valli Varesine, the 27-year-old is now set to head to China to take on the challenge of the Tour of Guangxi, starting next week, on the 15th of October with a nearly 150 kilometre flat stage starting and finishing in Fangchenggang. Although the startlist isn't finalised, Foss is expected to joined by the likes of Jhonatan Narvaez, Andrew August and Omar Fraile for INEOS among others.