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The UCI has stopped the CIC-Tour Féminin Pyrénées for safety’s sake

Sketchy conditions continued in Stage2 and riders weren’t happy

A car pulls out in a pro women's race Photo by: EsenciaCiclista
June 11, 2023
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Marta Cavalli (FDJ-Suez) won stage 2 of the CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées, amid protests due to unsafe conditions. On Sunday, Human Powered Health and Jumbo-Visma said the teams will withdraw for the safety of its riders. “Race withdrawal. We will not take to the start of stage 3 of the Tour Féminin Pyrénées due to safety concerns. Our team will continue its preparations for the Giro d’Italia Femminile,” HPH posted on Facebook.

Following the many teams continuing to voice concerns over the race, the UCI finally pulled the plug.

Stage 2 was expected to be an action-packed day full of climbing, with two large climbs, finishing on the infamous Hautacam in the 95.9-km race. However, the stage had all kinds of problems. There were even spectators wandering around on the narrow roads. There was a reckless driver the course, and all sorts of parked cars, creating risky conditions for the racers. Adam Hansen, the President of the CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés), then spoke with with teams, the UCI and race organizers after the race. To ensure safety, additional measures were implemented, including the deployment of extra police motorbikes for stage 2. But the dangerous environment continued.

The initial 25 kilometers were neutralized. Following this neutralization, riders raced for the next 10 km before stopping. The rest of the race was then neutralized until the final climb