Whilst today’s Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia (Ponte di Legno to Val Martello) had initially been shortened – avoiding the races highest points, including the climb of the 2,783m Passo del Stelvio – due to bad weather, it has now been cancelled entirely amidst heavy snow. With wind-chill expected to drop to -20C, race organisers have, rightly, put safety first and consider even the truncated 139km leg too perilous. Speaking to the BBC Race director Michele Acquarone said, ‘It was a tough decision on a big stage on a great finish in a great Giro. It was very hard to say no. But at 09:30 we contacted every mountain pass on the stage and they said “no, it can’t be done for the safety of the riders and the hundreds of workers.”’
On a total time of 73h 55’58”, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali retains his overall lead, sitting more than four minutes ahead of second-placed Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and third-placed Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky.
