"They are looking for trouble" - Visma DS calls out Giro organizers who opted for a cobbled sprint finish in Napoli
Cycling
Stage 6 of the Giro d'Italia provides a new opportunity for the sprinters to fight for victory, as the peloton continues heading north, with a flat stage finishing in Napoli set to feature a spectacular sprint. However there is forecast of rain, and with a cobbled sprint finish, there are worries and there is criticism to the race organizers.
The crash on stage 2 has affected dozens of riders and has gotten all teams on high alert. The fifth day of the race saw the riders race under a deluge in several instances, further increasing the fear of the crashes affecting the race for all teams.
Hence this Thursday the peloton will not be overly content with a finale that is set to feature wet cobblestones, posing a threat to the GC riders, but above all to the sprinters who will have to tackle it at high speed in order to be in contention for a result.
The sixth stage was one that had its course altered recently, removing a late hilltop, meaning a pure bunch sprint is expected. The race will not end right by the sea as has previously been the case; but this time around on the Piazza del Piebiscito - one of Napoli's central points. But the problem with his choice is obvious for many.
Map of the stage 6 finale
Safety and spectacular finishes often don't mix
“They are looking for trouble. We have finished here [in Napoli] before, and normally it went straight on. That was always a very nice finish for the sprinters," Team Visma | Lease a Bike DS Marc Reef told In de Leiderstrui. "Now we first get small cobbles, and then we finish on large stone slabs.”
It is far from a regular sprint finish, even if the uphill rise to the line may diminish speeds and reduce the risks. But inside the final kilometer there will be one 90-degree and one 180-degree corner that will be on flat terrain, meaning the sprinters have no chance but to take risks in order to fight for a prestigious stage win.
Whilst the weather forecast can't be controlled, Reef argues that the change of the finishing location was not necessary. “For me, they do not always need to look for this. They would still have had a great sprint otherwise.”
With safety in the sport being a focal topic over the past few years, it is hard to overlook the technical finale in Napoli, where the balance between safety and a scenic finish is a fine line. “I think they want beautiful images of the finish on that square. For me, that is not necessary. We just have to get through Thursday safely, without taking risks. Then we will look ahead," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Seixas appears to be that good but if he isn't (an absolute rival to Pogacar) he would have plenty of company in rising stars that did not go on to fully meet the expectations of many. That Pogacar wasn't the greatest (as great) sooner can't be transposed onto another's development. It may be not that simple.flyer14-11-2026
- I agree that, for Evenepoel, the Euro championship is overshadowed by the slightly off Lombardia and Worlds. However, I disagree that "Ciccone also made a serious mistake at the European Championships" because I don't think he had a win in the bag although he could have won with a perfect bike throw. Guesswork about the finish is not evidence by me for some serious mistake. Sometimes you just barely lose - although Ciccone's sourpuss about it persona was serious.flyer14-11-2026
- I bet you photobombed the video since you are his shadow!frieders314-11-2026
- Skipping the 2027 TDF would be fine in my opinion, and if so, it further reveals that him racing it in 2026 was a good decision. Seixas speaks confident, almost cocky, these days (not meant to be a criticism) and I find it a tad humorous that people (rather commentators) continually chide and advise on how Decathlon should direct and manage Seixas when Paul seems to be calling all his shots since well before this year's TDF.flyer14-11-2026
- Well I just watched this and I thought it was great! If you’re a Pogi fan, like me, you’ll enjoy it. Even if you’re not necessarily a Pogi fan I still recommend it. There’s plenty of new stuff I didn’t know about and I’m a Pogi-maniac! Nice interviews with Pogi & Matteo Trentin too.Lozza14-11-2026
- Well I just watched this and I thought it was great! If you’re a Pogi fan, like me, you’ll enjoy it. Even if you’re not necessarily a Pogi fan I still recommend it. There’s plenty of new stuff I didn’t know about and I’m a Pogi-maniac! Nice interviews with Pogi & Matteo Trentin too. So Zonnewotsit can stick it!Lozza14-11-2026
- Who’s gifting grand tours at UAE? Defo not Pogi! Stage wins maybe.Lozza13-11-2026
- Sepp Kuss Vuelta 2023.Lozza13-11-2026
- they have no expertise with classics, they have no leaders in classics. the classics is dominated by the few Fuori Classe riders where other riders are left with scraps. the Hiring , the salaries dont make sense at all. Same problem as Man Utd. over paid players, egos, very little performanceabstractengineer13-11-2026
- Contract year means you gotta win, at least collect UCI points, helping be damnedabstractengineer13-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment