Two popular horses before the race have passed. One from Covid-19, the other broke his hip on a slippery downhill. Many others have abandoned the race due to illness or crashes. A hometown hero has returned. His one of the leading teams in the peloton has just three riders.
And the rain hasn’t stopped yet.
After kicking off with a beautiful time trial, this year’s Giro d’Italia was completely devastated by bad weather and COVID-19. at least one stray dog.
View more from a bicycle
The situation in northern Italy is currently very difficult even in one of the world’s biggest sports, F1.This weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been canceled After massive flooding in the area.
Relentless rain at the 2023 Giro d’Italia
Of course, all this sports news pales in comparison to the news. Nine dead in floods and over 5,000 people displaced by the storm. Because at the end of the day, it’s just bike racing that we’re talking about.
But since this is a cycling magazine, one has to question whether the organizers of the Giro should decide enough is enough.
Let’s take a look at the first element that seemed to come out of nowhere and destroy the protons: COVID-19.
As in the early stages around the world, The new coronavirus hit Proton in bits.
just one day later, declared by the World Health Organization The virus “is no longer a public health emergency,” Giro began. And just a few days later, the first infected began appearing within Proton.
Then, as in the first few weeks and months three years ago, symptoms became stronger and faster, with more riders testing positive each day.
Soon, leading riders like Aleksandr Vlasov and Filippo Ganna were abandoned, followed by Domenico Pozzovivo and Rigoberto Uran.
At least in terms of the news cycle, Sunday was the pinnacle of the race when he wore the Maglia Rosa. Remco Evenepol withdraws from the race Because the test result was positive. The governing body has reinstated stricter measures. masking is popular again. A few days later, Four of Evenepole’s Soudal Quickstep teammates withdraw After testing positive. Their team was in tatters, with only three riders. please provide us with this photo After all, that may be the best summary of this year’s Giro.
But even if the virus forced most of the peloton to withdraw, we would have to assume that those unaffected would still continue racing. Too much money is tied up and too many eyes are on it. Covid-19 will continue to have a major impact, but it won’t stop the Giro.
Teammate assisting Remco after crashing on stage 5 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia
But what happens to another key factor in this year’s Giro that is troubling: rider safety?
This year’s Giro has been an almost total pandemonium with the constant rain that has fallen over much of Italy for the past two weeks. It looks like it rained on every stage.and at least one can The Great Flood would be the best description from the beggining to the end.
But bike racers race in the rain all the time. what’s the big deal?
the important thing is Hip fracture of Tao Gegehan Hart. The point is, we’ve seen a few climbs so far and one decent climb for him, but the big one is still looming. And with big climbs come big descents. And the heavy rain that falls on a big mountain becomes a heavy snow.
In the Giro Extensive experience with snow. All Gran Tours do. In fact, by snow-covered climbs, memorable moment in the history of bicycle racing. And a lot of it comes courtesy of Giro.
Slippery roads for the 2023 Giro d’Italia
But a snowy climb is not a smooth descent. Snow-covered climbs are uncomfortable. Smooth descents can mean worse.
Does anyone really think the Giro organizers or the UCI would consider hosting a race? i doubt it. Should I? perhaps.
If deadly flooding continues, especially in northern Italy, phase changes and truncations are more likely.
Whatever happens, if the first week and a half of this year’s Giro has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected, prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and today. Don’t assume that what’s happening means something to you. what might happen tomorrow
Michael Venutolo-Mantovani is a writer and musician based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He loves road and track cycling, loves gravel riding and is often trying to avoid mountain bike crashes.