"They imagine that they are on the Tour de France and that all the roads must be closed" - Race Director launches scathing criticism of Tour des Pyrenees riders after cancellation

The 2023 Tour des Pyrenees was brought to a premature end due to riders having safety concerns. In response though, Race Director, Pascal Baudron has launched a scathing criticism of the riders and their expectations.

"What is happening is that the girls have requirements that are not in line with their level," Baudron claimed on Sunday morning. "They imagine that they are on the Tour de France and that all the roads must be closed, that everything must be locked. But in France, you cannot do that."

Ultimately the race organisers would be forced to relent as a number of teams withdrew from the race, including Jumbo-Visma who announced, "Team Jumbo-Visma Women will not take the start of the third stage of the Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées because safety on the course leaves something to be desired. The riders will not not consider it responsible to run the third stage."