"There was the risk that the ice would create an avalanche": RCS Sport CEO explains abrupt shortening of Giro d’Italia Women's queen stage

RCS Sport CEO Paolo Bellino defended the sudden decision to cut stage 8 of the Giro d’Italia Women, stating that an unpredictable avalanche risk left organizers with no alternative. Following urgent warnings from national park authorities regarding an unstable ice sheet near the summit of the Colle delle Finestre, the race was halted one kilometer before the top, completely eliminating the scheduled descent and final climb to Sestriere. Despite the chaotic logistical adjustments, Demi Vollering claimed the stage victory in a select sprint, while Anna van der Breggen finished close behind to maintain her hold on the pink jersey ahead of the final day.

The queen stage of the Giro Women was climbing the iconic Colle delle Finestre when national park officials intervened. A large ice sheet measuring 150 meters in length had fractured into three pieces, creating an immediate safety threat directly above the final stretch of the road.

Bellino explained that rising afternoon temperatures rapidly accelerated the danger. “We decided to stop it because an ice sheet had loosened from the mountain. It was 150m in length and it had split into three parts, and authority for the national park blocked the race on us because they said there was a risk of an avalanche,” Bellino said.

“It was dangerous because there was the risk that the ice would create an avalanche on the last 150m of the mountain pass on the route. So we interrupted the race, and now the team cars will go through one by one, and then we’ll have the podium ceremony here in Sestriere.”

The sudden race stoppage drew immediate comparisons to the 2019 Tour de France, where a massive hailstorm and landslide abruptly neutralized the race on the Col de l’Iseran. However, unlike that 2019 scenario (where no stage winner was declared), the Giro jury allowed the first riders across the revised line to contest the victory.

High-altitude racing always introduces weather risks, but Bellino emphasized that advanced scouting had shown perfect conditions until the final hours of the afternoon. “It absolutely wasn’t predictable,” Bellino said. “The roads were clear and everything was perfect, and we were only made aware at 15.30, so we informed everyone immediately.”

“For us, it’s a big disappointment because we worked so hard to create this beautiful stage and to have a nice result. But the temperature had risen a lot in the last two hours, and this ice sheet was unstable, which was dangerous. It was a big problem for us, but we had to make sure the riders and the caravan were safe.”

The sudden adjustment meant the race concluded with an explosive finish just short of the summit. Demi Vollering outsprinted Anna van der Breggen, Antonia Niedermaier and Isabella Holmgren to take her second stage win of the Giro.

However, Van der Breggen crossed the line alongside Vollering. The result protects Van der Breggen’s overall advantage, as she is 49 seconds ahead of Vollering, putting her in prime position to secure a record-equalling fifth career Giro Women title on the final stage into Saluzzo.