The International Cycling Union (UCI) This Saturday strongly condemned the use of helicopters by several teams, including Soudal-Quick Step by Remco Evenepoelthat left the top of Gran Sasso d’Italia at the end of the seventh stage of the Giro, lamenting a “total lack of sporting equity”.
“The International Cycling Union (UCI) has confirmed that at the end of the seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia, between Capua and Gran Sasso d’Italia, some riders used a helicopter to evacuate the finish area at the end of the stage. This advantage represents a total lack of sporting equity and contradicts the rules intended to provide equal treatment to transfer teams to their hotels,” the agency said in a statement.
“In addition, the use of a helicopter for some riders also contradicts the principle of minimizing the carbon footprint recalled in the specifications for the organizers of the UCI WorldTour,” added the UCI, threatening sanctions.
“The UCI is eager to prevent the development of this practice and will take the necessary measures and possible sanctions to ensure that this behavior does not happen again in the future,” he insisted.
The Soudal-Quick Step team posted a photo on social media of some of its riders, including Remco Evenenpoel in a helicopter, with the caption: “a special trip for the Wolfpack (as the team calls it ) at the end of the stage today. in the Giro”.
Friday’s arrival at the top of the Gran Sasso d’Italia, at an altitude of 2,130m, is a logistical challenge for all teams.
Second overall, 28 seconds behind Norwegian Andreas Leknessund, pink jersey, Evenepoel said at the start of stage 7 that he had to cycle down more than 20 kilometers in the cold before returning to the hotel by bus or car.
The helicopter transfer allows those who use it to save valuable time in terms of recovery, before the 8th stage on Saturday.
Source: La Verdad
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