The 4e stage of the “Giro Next Gen” – the Tour of Italy hopes, reserved for those under 23 – was the scene of a surreal situation, Wednesday June 14. In the climb of the mythical Stelvio Pass, the highest pass in the Italian Alps, 24 runners were caught hanging on to cars and motorcycles to advance with less effort.
Up to eight riders towed by a single car
In a video shared by Tuttobiciweb, runners from different teams can be seen clinging to vehicles, some cars towing up to eight people. A grotesque situation that prompted the race direction to take action. In the evening, it disqualified 24 riders, also penalized by 25 points in the UCI classification.
Among the culprits were the Briton Noah Hobbs, member of Groupama-FDJ Continental, the reserve of Marc Madiot’s team, and the Belgian Tijl De Decker (Lotto Dstny Development Team), winner of Paris-Roubaix Espoirs in early May. .
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In addition to the 24 riders, four sports directors were also excluded, as were their vehicles, without the possibility of replacement. Riders and sports directors will also have to pay a fine of 100 Swiss francs.
