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Giro d'Italia scraps downhill rider category after safety criticism

Last updated on .From the section Cyclingcomments69

Giro d'Italia descent
The controversial category would have rewarded the fastest downhill riders in the race

Giro d'Italia organisers have abandoned plans for a best downhill rider category after criticism from riders that the idea was "life-threatening".

The plans would have seen riders timed on 10 downhill sections during the three-week race, with prizes for each day and the overall fastest descender.

Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt died after crashing on a descent during stage three of the 2011 Giro d'Italia.

The 100th edition of the race begins on Friday.

"The spirit of the initiative was to highlight an important skill which is an integral part of a cycle race, without putting the riders' safety in jeopardy," said organisers RCS Sport in a statement on Wednesday.

"Rider safety is, and remains, the priority of the Giro and the race organisers."

After the initial plans were released, Dutch Team Sky rider Woet Poels tweetedexternal-link that it was a "life-threatening idea", adding: "What about safety?"

Trek-Segafredo's Belgian cyclist Jasper Stuyvenexternal-link said organisers "should be ashamed" and that "riders will take even more risks" causing "more danger to other riders in the bunch".

RCS Sport said that reaction to the proposals suggested the classification, which was to be sponsored by tyre manufacturer Pirelli, "could be potentially misunderstood".

They added that they had therefore "decided to eliminate all such classification and prize money" but make data of descent speeds available to fans.

The Association of Professional Cyclists said it was "very happy" RCS had come to "a solution for the good of the riders".

The Giro is one of three three-week Grand Tours during the cycling season, together with the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana.

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69 comments

  • Comment posted by VanImpe, at 19:28 3 May 2017

    The Giro organisers had a downhill prologue (the Poggio I think) in the late 80s and the riders protested then. Bad idea, as its just dangerous.

    Otherwise, should be a cracking Giro. Usually tougher than the Tour.

  • Comment posted by charlieboy, at 19:45 3 May 2017

    Yes it's not a great idea. Sense has prevailed. I predict it would only have lasted until the first serious accident.

  • Comment posted by Miffsky, at 22:17 3 May 2017

    18. Posted by Baron_Blues_Legend_OBE on
    36 minutes ago
    this isn't sport - move it to hobbies and past times please

    I'd like to see you take part in 250km race where 10% or more would be uphill, sometimes kilometre after kilometre, all uphill.

    You'd get off your bike as soon as you looked at some of these hills, then you'd be on your phone to your mummy asking her to pick you up !

  • Comment posted by Qcumbor, at 19:52 3 May 2017

    What a crazy idea. Such a prestigious event doesn't need gimmick nonsense.

    Btw beeb the cycling season started 2 months ago and has been great so far. Pity your only bothered about negative stories.

    As for the Giro I will be cheering on GT all the way.

    Thanks to Scarponi.

  • Comment posted by 50scarrow, at 20:57 3 May 2017

    Although seeing a great descender in action is truly a sight to behold, it should never be a timed competition. It's just too dangerous.

    The Giro is the best of the Grand Tours in my opinion, and doesn't need any gimmicks.

  • Comment posted by Mad Mark, at 21:19 3 May 2017

    Common sense has prevailed. Let the action begin. 3 weeks of great competition and scenery.

  • Comment posted by Rosbif, at 09:57 4 May 2017

    I'm guessing that all the people who think that the riders are being wimps have never made a mountain descent, I have albeit at a very leisurely pace. I have nothing but admiration for the bravery of the guys who do it in race mode.

  • Comment posted by foreverengland, at 20:56 3 May 2017

    Gimmicky, unnecessary & dangerous... yhank goodness common sense prevailed.

    The Giro is worthy of more well thought out ideas than this.

  • Comment posted by Rosbif, at 23:43 3 May 2017

    @25 markthelegendkid

    "Firstly I haven't been in competitive cycling.."

    You didn't need to add anything else.

  • Comment posted by morebalanceplease, at 20:22 3 May 2017

    Thank goodness they have seen sense. Too many accidents already in recent months and years. Totally unnecessary.

  • Comment posted by U14695713, at 11:50 4 May 2017

    I can imagine why they might have wanted to introduce this, as the breakneck downhill sections are very exciting, and make good TV viewing - but they are dangerous enough as it is. I remember from the road race in the Rio Olympics that organisers can easily mess up and leave certain sections almost death traps.

  • Comment posted by Jason, at 09:30 4 May 2017

    @23, football a man's sport? Are you for real? Have you seen these 6 foot namby pambies rolling on the floor at the hint of a tackle?!? Proper 'man's' sport would be rugby, boxing or heaven forbid, cycling. Try cycling up a 20% gradient at 17mph like the pros, bloody agony and nigh on impossible. Oh and the crashes in nothing but flimsy clothes and then cycle the remaining 50 miles on cobbles? Men

  • Comment posted by U16637961, at 20:25 3 May 2017

    Daft idea and very glad it's dropped. Theres plenty of competition in the existing jerseys and stage wins without the need for dangerous gimmicks. Struggling to see how anyone save for Quintana can win. Hope G stays in contention for a podium place until at least the third week.

  • Comment posted by morebalanceplease, at 10:39 4 May 2017

    Those who are expert at downhill already get a tangible benefit, no need for a dangerous downhill competition. I am not sure even the best downhillers want it. 1st death or serious injury and that would be the last anyway. I don't think it would be long.

  • Comment posted by theolderiamthebetteriwas, at 09:26 4 May 2017

    43: you have almost everything wrong in your comment. Ranging from most cyclists also have cars so do pay "tax" and they are advised by all safety experts that they should ride 2 abreast. Sadly most car drivers lack the ability to follow others in a safe manner. You sound emotionally unstable and should not drive a motor vehicle, for your own sake.

  • Comment posted by Get the miles in, at 08:59 4 May 2017

    @43 The Giro is on closed roads...so take your rant elsewhere....this is a sports HYS.

    Maybe you should move house...it seems you are stressed....try yoga.

    Should be a cracking Giro...the mountain stages are epic....tougher that the Tour...go GT...!!

  • Comment posted by BrutalLogiC, at 22:41 3 May 2017

    @20, replying to trolls is not a good idea, best to just report the post as trolling

  • Comment posted by TheLardMeister, at 11:52 4 May 2017

    I think this competition may have a good real side benefit if it starts a conversation on improving safety on descents. E.g. how to make easily set up and moved safety equipment to protect riders from street furniture/ drop offs over cliffs etc - Following the Rio debacle I did think protection from concrete blocks etc which is quick to move would be a boon to pro racing (and amateur!)

  • Comment posted by 4fkk, at 08:01 4 May 2017

    What the folks in favour of downhiller comps seem to conveniently miss is that it was the pros who objected to it in the first place. Right decision!

  • Comment posted by Deculturesac, at 12:52 4 May 2017

    If you can't wink the pink jersey, win the brown shorts

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