Even though the Tour de Romandie race organizers made a right decision of shortening its first stage, preventing riders from negotiating the Simplonpass climb in highly unfavorable weather conditions, they faced a criticism just a day after.
Tony Martin expressed his disappointment with a thoughtless route planning, after speeding peloton was forced to play the Tour de Romandie second stage’s finale on narrow roads full of roundabouts and dangerous obstacles, which followed in a short succession a fast descent.
"After I praised the organizers yesterday for their quick reaction in shortening the race due to the weather conditions, today I must criticize them,” he wrote on his personal website.
“Today's finale was an endless series of roundabouts, zebra stripes, narrowing lanes and curves. It is irresponsible for the organizers and the UCI to send us on a course like that. Those who are responsible for designing the course should perhaps have some riding experience and be able to predict what might happen when a field of 150 riders hits an obstacle course like that after a fast descent.”
"At least the weather co-operated. Fortunately it only started to rain after we had finished. Sure, we are pros and have to put up with everything and to cope with it. But they don't have to provoke crashes with a dangerous course. We all agreed on that after the race.”
Matic VEBER 28 years | today |
Tom DERNIES 34 years | today |
Nico CLAESSENS 39 years | today |
Andrew ROCHE 53 years | today |
Andre ROOS 22 years | today |
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