The stage finish from just a few minutes ago in the Tirreno-Adriatico was on a 16 km climb. The announcers from Eurosport said the temperatures were -1C. And it was misting on the climb, then turning to snow the last few kilometers.
I guess they needed to cancel the stage? At least according to this “huge” problem that the sport seems to be having concerning weather and cycling. Our, by our I mean here in the US, new riders group, ANAPRC would like that to be the case. They suggest a +3C, plus snow, as a “plan B” switch. Wonder what that would have been today.
Don’t worry, we have recently retired rider David Millar on point to figure this whole issue out for the riders.
My feelings, bike racing involves weather. The sport is an outside sport. Sure, it the organizers can avoid a complete tragedy by altering the course before the races, when the weather is extreme, they should. But, they already do that. Every once in while, it is just bad. Bad luck, probably a little bad planning, etc. In those instances, the riders themselves, or their team managers, can decide whether they should take the risks or just stop. Some will, some won’t. That is how sport works in extreme conditions.
Fabian doesn’t like it again. He isn’t too big on heat, or snow now. Wonder what he’s going to say if it’s raining for Roubaix? Maybe someone else will carry the torch then. Danger is danger in my book.
I don’t understand how having specific rules in place can address each and every weather situation. More rules, less sport, that’s the way I see it.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar), winning in the snow today.
It’s been a really bad Winter back there. just down the road from where my house is they set an all-time single-day snowfall record of over 100 inches. my house is still burried in snow up to the bottom of the 2nd floor windows. Crazy.
This time of year just about the whole of Europe runs the risk of ADVERSE Weather !
Millar has Cycled/Raced in WORSE , but no doubt he didn’t bitch when he was a ” Rising Star “?
EVen i a tourist , experienced worse on the ” 2012 Giro del Trentino ” , a few years back when the race finished on the Passo Pellogrino ( ? ) , there is a monument with Simoni’s Bike there from that year !
When i arrived at the back of the Finish Area , i was covered in SNOW , having ridden in about 2cm of ground covering , some of it swished away by the ascending vehicles ! Not too much fun until it warmed up . With it being the last day of the race , i was able to have a chat with a few of the racers and remember making Photos of the likes of Nicko Roche , looking very ragged from the day’s efforts!
We ALL know that this current generation , grew up with so many advantages , principally because their Parents have MORE Disposable Income , BUT , if they want to make a Career in this SPORT , they have to expect to do the work , to earn the respect that is due the likes of Hampsen , who rode the Giro d’Italia in a BLIZZARD !
And yet great video feed from the motos and helos.
Will we ever get the same at the USA Pro Challenge?
I agree… if at the start it appears that the weather is going to provide a disaster then the organizers should do the right thing to prevent a bigger disaster. If the weather is just forecasted to be bad… and maybe gets worse during the race… well that is racin’…
A recent mountain bike race I was crossing the Continental Divide for the second time of the day in the backcountry of Breckenridge when a heavy rain and hail storm came through. All I had was a very light rain jacket, ended up soaked to the skin, pelted to death by hail, probably borderline hyperthermic… but the forecast for the day was clear with a late day shower… Would I have normally gone out in those conditions, no way! But it was racin’ and at the end of the day I wasn’t hurt (although I think the hail covered trails did contribute to a few broken bones for others though).
Honestly, if there was a constant fear of dangerous weather (which happens totally unexpectedly all the time in the high country), then no one would venture outside.
MTB, it is a bit different from amateurs. I had done 3 hours road race in 35F rain and it wasn’t fun once I got cold. We did not have support and you could see hypothermic cat 4 with flat tires.
These guys have team car that carry extra clothes, bikes, wheels, food. I don’t think they are missing anything and they have staff that tell them when to put their jackets.
It might not be fun for them but it is their jobs and it’s like every jobs, sometimes its sucks.
Steve had a good point, they should just HTFU.
Weather forecast (put out SATURDAY night) for the final climb – according to the race organization – was for -4 C and snow at the top (finish line).
The blanket statement that the cars have everything the riders need doesn’t address the fact that sometimes the cars can’t get to their riders. Case in point, Saturday at Paris-Nice on a rainy, cold day. Cars were barraged, race was up and down all day and some riders couldn’t get the food or clothing they needed because their cars could never get to them. And if you drop back, you’re effectively off the back and out of the race.
In all, 44 riders did not finish.
(And yes, I am here at the race.)
There is a fine line between “uncomfortable” and “dangerous”. Today’s Tirreno was somewhere pretty close to the line. If they had to descend for even 30 seconds in the snow, a lot of people would get injured for sure – do we want Contador’s or Nibali’s or Quintana’s season to be decided by something like this?
I think today’s stage was probably Ok, but it’s easy to dismiss the riders safety issues from the comfort of my (or yours) couch. The riders should have some say in these issues – it’s their safety after all.
Wow, Nairo really rocketed up that climb, like he’s ON ANOTHER PLANET.
I’m with TIlford on this one. I was there http://cycleitalia.blogspot.it/2015/03/tirreno-adriaticoan-epic-day.html
and this was a mountain-top finish with ALL the team buses just beyond the finish line. No dangerous, cold descending was required though we did see a couple of guys sliding around a bit earlier, same as at Paris-Nice where the SKY boyz admitted to having tires at too-high pressure. My fear with some “hard and fast” rule like “x degrees with x% chance of rain/snow” means all kinds of CYA with stages cancelled way too often. Races in these conditions are what makes cycling EPIC, same with NFL games in snowy, open-air stadiums vs indoor contests on green carpets. Don’t like weather? That’s what indoor velodromes are for!
Getting PAID to ride. SFU & ride!
ALL races should take place on virtual reality trainers when weather is questionable. Lol
http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/03/news/terminillo-blizzard-at-tirreno-adriatico-reignites-weather-debate_363515
I agree that weather is part of the sport, which is why I was confused regarding your comment on dropping out of the Land Run 100 because of mud….
They have a lot of support compared to amateurs. I had to find my cold car in the parking lot to get warm clothes. And I don’t have a car following up and must used neutral support, rely on feedzone and hope there is someone there.
It is probably harder for the support staff than the riders that are racing.