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Jasper Stuyven criticizes Giro d'Italia director Marco Velo for his handling of the stage 2 neutralisation, comparing him to a "frightened dog." Stuyven's remarks highlight the tension surrounding the race's management after a mass crash 22 kilometers from the finish.
The incident led to a rolling neutralisation, but the general classification (GC) times were not paused, which Stuyven and several other riders deemed unsafe. They argued for a GC neutralisation to prevent unnecessary risks during the final descent after the crash, but the race quickly resumed with 18 kilometers remaining.
Stuyven described the chaotic scene, stating, "The race director said they were looking into it... then he waved his flag and shouted 'race.'" Despite the lack of neutralisation, the final kilometers unfolded without further disaster, with Guillermo Thomas Silva winning the stage in a reduced sprint group. Jonas Vingegaard, who later attacked on the climb, acknowledged that safety influenced his strategy during the final moments.
The Giro d'Italia continues with stage 3 to Sofia, but it does so without six riders who were involved in the crash, including Marc Soler and Adam Yates. This incident raises critical questions about race safety and management in the high-stakes environment of professional cycling.
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