Summit finish remains but poor visibility and low cloud forces removal of iconic climb
The iconic climb to Sestriere has been removed from the route of stage 14 of the 2013 Giro d’Italia as the race continues to be hit by bad weather. The climb to the 2035 metre high ski resort was to have come with 42.7km of the original 168km route between Cervere and Bardonecchia-Jafferau, but low cloud - causing dangerously low visibility on the descent - has caused RCS Sport to take a safety-first course.
“Due to freezing temperatures and reduced visibility on the descent from Sestriere due to low cloud, the race direction has taken the decision to modify the race route, removing the climb to Sestriere and the subsequent descent,” reads the explanatory statement from RCS Sport.
The route around the iconic climb means adding a further 12km to the stage route, taking it up to 180km in all, but also means that the final climb to the finish on the Jafferau above Bardonecchia will be the only major obstacle of the day.
With temperatures at the finish forecast to be around 4 degrees centigrade, with the possibility of snow, isibility on the way up to the 1908 metre high mountain will likely be similar to that on Sestriere. While it will likely be another uncomfortable day for the peloton, the conditions should not cause any danger to the riders as they will not be faced with a high speed descent afterwards.