Marta Cavalli (FDJ SUEZ) won stage 2 of the CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées, amid protests due to unsafe conditions. On Sunday, Human Powered Health said the team will withdraw for the safety of its riders. “Race withdrawal. We will not take to the start of stage 3 of the Tour Féminin Pyrénées due to safety concerns. Our team will continue its preparations for the Giro d’Italia Femminile,” HPH posted on Facebook.
Stage 2 was expected to be an action-packed day full of climbing, with two large climbs, finishing on the famous Hautacam in the 95-km race. However, the stage had all kinds of problems. There were even spectators wandering around on the narrow roads. There was a reckless driver the course, and all sorts of parked cars, creating risky conditions for the racers. Adam Hansen, the President of the CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés), then spoke with with teams, the UCI and race organizers after the race. To ensure safety, additional measures were implemented, including the deployment of extra police motorbikes for stage 2. But the dangerous environment continued.
Our statement from the @women_cpa https://t.co/yLEKIfUQjN
— Adam Hansen (@HansenAdam) June 11, 2023
The initial 25 kilometers were neutralized. Following this neutralization, riders raced for the next 10 km before stopping. The rest of the race was then neutralized until the final climb
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Here’s a clip from Stage 1. It’s no surprise the riders were concerned about ensuing stages.
🤬 Caótico final, y etapa completa, en el Tour des Pyrénées con coches en marcha en los últimos kilómetros, gente en la calzada, autobuses parados…#EsenciaCiclista #TourPyrenees #CICTourFéminin pic.twitter.com/OOBWBgOyZC
— Esencia Ciclista (@EsenciaCiclista) June 9, 2023
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…