Riders revolt during the Valais Giro stage

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Almost two weeks ago, 176 riders started the Giro d’Italia. Two weeks later, on the Swiss podium, only 135 remain. Bad weather, crashes and Covid have thinned out the peloton. The last comrade in the race is Fabian Lienhard (29). He writes a Whatsapp message on Friday at 9:22 am: “The board members’ association has voted. Croix de Coeur or we stay on the bus. Or they offer us an alternative.” One immediately wonders: what is going on there?

The majority of the drivers refuse to tackle the 200 kilometers including the Grote St. Bernhard. She especially wants Giro organizer RCS to refrain from the course over the Col de la Croix de Coeur (pass height: 2167 meters). She doesn’t. But: it cancels the Grote St. Bernhard and shortens the race by 125 kilometers. A compromise. The teams take their riders in buses to Le Chable VS, where the 75km sprint mountain stage begins. In the end, everyone remains careful, so that the narrow road down from the Croix de Coeur – a few weeks ago it was still a ski slope – can be conquered without accidents.

Pinot shoots his powder

On the final ascent to Crans-Montana, a great battle ensues for the day’s victory. Take a look: the dream of Walliser OC boss Steve Morabito (40) is about to come true. The former pro had said: “I wish Thibaut Pinot wins. It’s his last year as an active driver and he’s just a good guy.”

The 32-year-old Frenchman attacks several times from a group of three, but misses his gunpowder. In the end, the lightweight Eine Rubio (25) from Colombia, who weighs 56 kilos, wins. In the general classification, Geraint Thomas (36, GB) defends the Maglia Rosa.

The Giro will start in Sierre on Saturday and return to Italy. Was it worth the more than one million Swiss francs the Valais people paid for the tour of Italy? Morabito: “Yes, because the added value of the Giro is enormous.”

Source : Blick