Velonews: Spectators Slow Giro Stragglers In Stage 12 Finish



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<figure ><img title="Cycling: 98th Tour of Italy 2015 / Stage 12" src="http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2015/05/SPTDW1120-320x213.jpg"/><p>Overly exuberant fans spilled onto the road after the front peloton had passed in stage 12 of the Giro, delaying riders at the back of the race. Photo: Tim De Waele | <a href="http://www.tdwsport.com" target="_blank">TDWsport.com</a></p></figure><p>Riders off the back in a grand tour stage are often subject to many challenges — a smaller group is worse for drafting, team cars are often up the road — but in Thursday’s stage 12 at the Giro d’Italia, riders dropped by the peloton had to contend with a finish straight filled with fans.</p>
<p>The short, steep finish on Monte Berico in Vicenza was wide open for <a title="Gilbert wins, Contador consolidates GC lead" href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/race-report/gilbert-wins-contador-consolidates-gc-lead_371081"target="_blank">Philippe Gilbert</a> (BMC) to win the day ahead of race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo). However, once the peloton passed, spectators crossed the barriers and filled the roadway, walking up to see the finish festivities and podium ceremonies, or to simply head home.</p>
<p>“The last riders were hijacked by the crowds even before they could start the final ascent,” said IAM Cycling sport director Thierry Marichal in a press statement. “The security service was unable to contain the exuberant fans on the road.”</p>
<p>Although the riders at the back weren’t likely concerned with scrapping for seconds or minor placings, the delay was a problem for one IAM rider.</p>
<p>“Stef Clement was called to the doping control at the finish,” Marichal continued. “We had to help him elbow through with a car in order to get him to the doping control tent in time so that they could test him.”</p>
<p>Later on Twitter, Clement expressed his exasperation and concern that his late arrival at doping control could run afoul of UCI rules. He noted that a missed doping control could cost him a two-year suspension. To add insult to injury, Clement had crashed earlier on the stage’s wet, slippery descents.</p>
<p>Life at the back of the race is usually hard but sometimes downright frustrating.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/spectators-slow-giro-stragglers-in-stage-12-finish_371135">Spectatorsslow Giro stragglers in stage 12 finish</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velonews.competitor.com">VeloNews.com</a>.</p>

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