As the riders battled through driving snow on the ascent of the Stelvio, questions were already being raised about the safety of the stage and, in particular, the famous descent. With visibility low, and the brutal stage already causing huge splits in the bunch, stories began to circulate of the descent having been neutralised – though how that would actually have worked in reality will not be known.
What a poor #giro organization ! They said neutralized descend and Quintana attacked. Is there any fair play in cycling? #Mess #Scandal — Oleg Tinkov (@olegtinkov) May 27, 2014
On the road, Dario Cataldo (Team Sky) pushed on regardless, leaving behind his breakaway companions to earn a solo lead at the front while the maglia rosa group made contact with those behind him. A statement released by RCS Sport after the race insisted neutralisation of the descent was never their intention however, and only that the race motorbikes would guide riders down the difficult descent.
The statement read: “In consideration of audio recordings of instructions relayed to directeurs sportifs during today’s stage, the directors of the Giro d’Italia would like to clarify that Race Radio provided an inaccurate interpretation of the indications stipulated by the directors.
“At no point did Race Radio or the Directors of the Giro make reference to the possible neutralisation of any part of the descent.”
The intrigue grows.
