Orica-Scott director slams Movistar for not waiting for riders caught in Giro motorbike crash
"I have a lot of respect for that team but I think they made a poor decision today" says Orica-Scott director Matt White
Team Movistar should have waited after a motorbike caused a crash in the Giro d'Italia's Blockhaus stage on Sunday, says Orica-Scott with fallen race leader Adam Yates.
The crash occurred just before the start of the Blockhaus climb, at 14 kilometres remaining, and Movistar kept driving at the head of the pack while Yates, Geraint Thomas and many others remained on the ground behind.
>>> ‘It shouldn’t have happened’: Geraint Thomas left angry after motorbike ruins Giro chances
"I think the decision Movistar made was incorrect," Orica-Scott sports director Matt White said.
"There was no break they were chasing, it was a downhill section. Everyone was aware what happened in that crash.
"The best decision on a sporting front would've been to been to slow down for one or two minutes, it would've given time for guys to get off the deck.
"There was no need to push the pace as they did. It's disappointing, because I have a lot of respect for that team but I think they made a poor decision today."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Wilco Kelderman (Sunweb) hit the motorbike first. He broke his finger and abandoned. Sky riders falling were Thomas, Landa, Diego Rosa, Sebastian Henao, Vasil Kiryienka and Kenny Elissonde.
Yates fell in the chaos. He would not come out to speak to the press because the team said he was with the doctor. White said, "he's fine" but "disappointed."
The 24-year-old raced on with his bike broken and wheel rubbing with the help of Carlos Verona and Rubén Plaza.
"I don't understand why the police motorbike stalled the way he did, whether it was an accident or whatever it was. It was certainly unnecessary and had a massive affect on our team and many teams. It's been a disaster really,” White continued.
"As is for everyone, we put a lot of effort into preparing for a race like this and it's a big blow for his GC ambitions, but we have to reassess.
'There is a lot more climbing to come and a lot more opportunities come. It's a bad day but we have to move on."
Colombian Nairo Quintana, winner of the 2014 edition, won the stage and moved into the pink jersey lead.
"We were ahead and the team was pulling hard in the race, that was the order of the team directors," Quintana explained.
"We didn't even know what had happened behind, we didn't know that it was as bad as it turned out to be.
"I am sorry for them, the race was already running. It's hard to stop the race at that moment, to organise something. It's too bad that something like that happened."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Guava Spot Force AXS review: the Catalan gravel bike that loves tarmac too
It just doesn’t deal with fast asphalt, rocky terrain, sandy stretches and damp conditions, but it excels across them. It’s fast, aggressive, nimble, stable, and above all compliant.
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Simon Yates says he took a pay cut in order to join Visma-Lease a Bike
32-year-old says it was now or never as he gets set to leave Jayco AIUla after eleven years
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
British super-talent Cat Ferguson set for pro debut this weekend
Eighteen-year-old to race La Choralis Fourmies in first Movistar outing
By Tom Davidson Published
-
A UAE Emirates Tour de France podium clean sweep is a real possibility
Adam Yates, Tadej Pogačar and João Almeida are all hitting form at the perfect time with the Florence Grand Départ fast approaching
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
João Almeida springs to Tour de Suisse stage six win as UAE Team Emirates dominate
On shortened day, Almeida wins as his teammate Adam Yates extends lead on other squads
By Adam Becket Published
-
Adam Yates wins Tour de Suisse stage five with virtuoso mountains performance
The Briton attacks to win solo, with team-mate Joāo Almeida coming in second
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Nairo Quintana’s former doctor to face trial for doping offences
Fredy Alexander Gonzales Torres is accused of "possession of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete" during the 2020 Tour de France
By Tom Thewlis Published
-