Geraint Thomas sassed pros from the ‘80s and ‘90s bigtime at the Giro d’Italia
The pink jersey was being asked about the shortened Stage 13
Photo by: SirottiThe weather at this year’s Giro d’Italia has been awful. So bad that Stage 13’s stge had to be shortened to only 74.6 km, with the Passo del Gran San Bernardo being taken away from the route. Apparently, 19 of the 22 teams voted to shorten the stage, with some people on social media criticizing the riders. Some pointed to some of the famous days of the “good old days” when Andy Hampsten won the infamous Gavia stage in snowy conditions in 1988. Several former pros chimed in on Twitter, clapping back about this current generation of professional cyclists.
Adam Hansen, chairman of the cyclist’s union, the CPA defended the change.
“I will speak out and defend the riders for the dry roads,” the former Giro d’Italia stage winner tweeted. “First, we were told stage 10 we could not negotiate just before the start when the weather was most accurate. 20 guys went home in a 24-hour period.”
Hardly no rain and good visibility. Still in short sleeves. I sure the riders will do just fine. As always they will ride according to the conditions #giro106 #GirodItalia https://t.co/BT9crybSRL
— Michael Rasmussen (@MRasmussen1974) May 19, 2023
Many fans chimed in as well, saying that lousy conditions are part of the sport.
Extreme weather conditions in modern cycling be like: 9 degrees and dry roads
— Ginevra (@ginevragarga) May 19, 2023
Of course, it should be noted, sitting on a couch is much more comfortable than descending a mountain in the cold.
Remember that one time when Andy Hampsten won the @giroditalia ?
Yeah, thought so. pic.twitter.com/FY8KTZCbAX
— Dan DePaemelaere (@danodep) May 19, 2023
When Thomas was asked what he thought about some of the criticism, he had a bold response. “A lot of riders from the ‘80s and the ‘90s are criticizing the riders in the peloton,” the commentator began. “What is your point on that?”
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Without hesitation, the INEOS-Grenadiers responded.
“A lot of other things happened in the ‘80s and ‘90s that we don’t do now as well which we’re proud of. So they can say what they want.”
Watch the zinger below.
Geraint Thomas' response to older riders questioning current Giro participants ?#GirodeItalia | @GeraintThomas86 pic.twitter.com/gQWvUcVQYe
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 20, 2023