Riders delay Giro di Lombardia start with five-minute safety protest

Riders at the Giro di Lombardia delayed the start by five minutes on Saturday in a collective protest over safety on race roads. According to The Guardian, the action followed a series of incidents involving vehicles, with the peloton staying put after organisers finished the countdown instead of beginning the race.

Remco Evenepoel addressed spectators during the stoppage, explaining the riders' concern about collisions and the danger of competitors being injured or killed. The Guardian reported that he referred to Finlay Tarling, who died following a collision with a vehicle during the Tour of Portugal on 14 August. Tarling was the younger brother of rider Josh Tarling.

The protest also followed an incident at Wednesday's Tre Valli Varesine. Thomas Gloag and Marcel Camprubi were struck by a police motorcycle travelling against the direction of the race, The Guardian reported. The riders' decision to pause the start in Italy brought those safety concerns directly into the opening moments of another major event.

BBC Sport reported that the CPA, the union representing professional cyclists, urged governing body the UCI to ensure organisers take responsibility for improving safety. In its statement, the union said competitors rely on organisers and the UCI to secure roads because they race at speed with little protection. It argued that those responsibilities were not being fulfilled.

The CPA said the demonstration was intended to show the strength of riders acting together, while emphasising their respect for organisers and their desire to compete for supporters. Returning safely to their families remained the priority, it said. BBC Sport reported that riders including Evenepoel and Britain's Tom Pidcock shared the union's statement on Instagram.

Once the five-minute stoppage ended, a second starting flag was waved in Bergamo and the field departed towards Como, according to BBC Sport. Lombardia is the last of cycling's five Monuments and the penultimate race on this year's UCI World Tour calendar. Tadej Pogacar, winner of the previous five editions, was absent following a season-ending injury at the Vuelta a Espana.