Weather forces changes to Giro's 20th stage

VAL MARTELLO, Italy (AFP) –

Cyclists ride over the Tonale mountain pass during the 20th stage of the 93rd Giro d’Italia, on May 29, 2010. Heavy snow at Tonale has forced the cancellation of the Giro d’Italia’s 19th stage, as this year’s race has been beset by adverse weather conditions. Heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures have forced organisers of the Giro d’Italia to make changes to the race’s 20th stage on May 25.

Heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures have forced organisers of the Giro d’Italia to make changes to the race’s 20th stage on Saturday, it emerged Friday.

The first of two consecutive days in the Dolomite mountains, Friday’s 19th stage was cancelled altogether as it emerged that even plans for an alternative route had to be abandoned due to heavy snowfall and freezing conditions above 1500 metres.

The 20th stage on Saturday, featuring five mountain passes and a finish on the legendary Tre Cime de Lavaredo, was considered the ‘Queen’ mountain stage of the race.

However the severe conditions mean the stage’s first three climbs — the Costalunga, San Pellegrino, and Giau — are off the menu, said organisers RCS. Instead, the peloton will race through the valleys of Brunico and Dobbiaco in order to reach Cortina d’Ampezzo, from where the climb to Tre Cime di Lavaredo begins.

Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali crosses the finish line to win the 18th stage of the 96th Giro d’Italia from Mori to Polsa, on May 23, 2013. Heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures have forced organisers of the Giro d’Italia to make changes to the race’s 20th stage on May 25.

The stage’s finale, featuring the climb over the Tre Croci and Tre Cime de Lavarado, remains unchanged.

The new route will be 210 km long, seven kilometres longer than the original.

Italian Vincenzo Nibali leads the race with a 4min 02sec lead on closest rival, Australian Cadel Evans, ahead of Saturday’s stage.