Cycling: Josef Černý won the curious 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia. The Czech was part of a 14-strong lead group and was able to break away from his companions with 22 kilometers to go. The actual 258-kilometer section was previously significantly shortened due to a driver strike.
Driver protest: Giro stage significantly shortened
Chaos at the Giro d'Italia. The 19th stage started today as planned in Morbegno. But the drivers lodged a protest with race director Mauro Vegni. At 258 kilometers, the stage is too long. In addition, it rained heavily at low temperatures. After around eight kilometers, the professionals disappeared back into their team buses and were taken to a new starting point. In Abbiategrasso, the section started all over again, with only a total of 124,5 kilometers to go to the finish line. Apparently there was also disagreement between the drivers and the teams. Some are said to have been in favor of shortening it, while others wanted to carry out the stage as planned. Race director Mauro Vegni finally gave in, but he is not happy about it. The Italian announced consequences.
Josef Černý arrives at the finish as a soloist
After all the discussion, there was also a race afterwards. As expected, the team held out Arnaud Demare (Groupama – FDJ) back. It would make sense to follow up with a possible fifth stage win, but it would be pointless in view of the Maglia Ciclamino. Because if a breakaway group gets through, no one can take the jersey away from him. And that's how it happened. Bora – hansgrohe tried to get the 14-man escape group back, but later had to realize that this endeavor would not succeed. So today the escapees decided on the winner of the day. An attack 22 kilometers before the finish Josef Cerny (CCC) prevail against his companions. As a soloist, the strong time trialist reached a few seconds ahead Victor Campenaerts (NTT) the target. The peloton arrived many minutes later.
Josef Černy was born in Victoria in the 19th century #Turn with a sensual view over 22km of meta
👉 https://t.co/dZ4WEqLP9o pic.twitter.com/KLjdMr5VVc
- Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) October 23, 2020