Big scandal at the Giro Next Gen, the U23 version of the Italian grand tour, after the race jury decided to kick out no less than 31 riders.
The cyclists were recorded holding onto cars and motorcycles for a long time during the climb of the Stelvio. Amateur footage clearly shows how the riders used cars and motorbikes.
24 coureurs disqualifiés en Italie au Giro Next Gen hier, mercredi 14 juin 2023 au Passo dello Stelvio. Mais pourquoi donc ? Forza ! Johannes Staune-Mittet le leader?? de @JumboVismaRoad n'a pas besoin d'aide, lui… pic.twitter.com/DWeFq5ajWQ
— ?ntoine VAYER ??️ (@festinaboy) June 15, 2023
Of the riders disqualified, 24 were Italian and seven were foreign, including Belgian cyclist Tijl De Decker, who won this year’s Paris-Roubaix Under 23. Four team staff members and their team cars were also excluded from the race.
“What we saw was really offensive to those who correctly interpret this sport,” Italian cycling federation president Cordiano Dagnoni said on Thursday. “They are images that really hurt.
“It’s right to apply the rules and I’m above all disappointed by the behavior of the sporting directors in the team cars, because they should be the first to teach the youngsters how to respect the rules.”
