Team Visma | Lease a Bike survives shortened mountain stage Giro d’Italia in harsh weather conditions
In freezing temperatures and incessant rain and sleet, the peloton gathered in Livigno for the start of stage sixteen. After teams and riders had already expressed doubts about descending the Umbrail pass in these weather conditions earlier, and much deliberation at the start, it was decided to start the race only after that descent. In the car, the peloton made the move from Livigno to new starting place Spondigna.
Sports director Marc Reef is disappointed that taking that decision took so long. “It was a very hectic morning. There was a lot of consternation and it is unfortunate that taking the right decision took so long. It disrupted the whole preparation of the riders. As far as we were concerned, the right solution was to start the race at this location, but that decision could have been made much earlier. The race itself ended up being a day for the general classification riders. We are happy that all four guys made it to the finish line in one piece.”
🇮🇹 #GirodItaliaAnd now it’s time for a well-deserved hot shower. 😬🚿 pic.twitter.com/hzRcomh6nP— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) May 21, 2024
“It is unfortunate that taking the right decision took so long”
Marc Reef
On one of the two remaining climbs in the course, Jan Tratnik briefly tried to slip into a breakaway and Attila Valter held on for a long time. The Hungarian eventually crossed the line in 21st place. Valter: “To be honest, there was still something in my legs. The conditions were tough. I probably could have gone a little deeper at the end, but I recognized that it was of little use because the head of the race was out of the picture. I better save that energy for the next few days.”
Giro d’Italia
Stage 16
Result
Rankings
Result
1
Tadej Pogačar
UAE Team Emirates
02:49:37
2
Giulio Pellizzari
VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè
+00:00:16
3
Daniel Felipe Martínez
BORA – hansgrohe
+00:00:16
21
Attila Valter
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:32
36
Jan Tratnik
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:06:24
124
Tim van Dijke
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:27:53
132
Edoardo Affini
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:28:04
Rankings
1
Tadej Pogačar
UAE Team Emirates
59:01:09
2
Daniel Felipe Martínez
BORA – hansgrohe
+00:07:18
3
Geraint Thomas
INEOS Grenadiers
+00:07:40
24
Attila Valter
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:48:55
38
Jan Tratnik
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+01:20:50
117
Tim van Dijke
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+03:33:25
130
Edoardo Affini
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+03:47:58
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Subjects
Cycling – World Tour men
Attila Valter
Marc Reef
1
Giro d’Italia
