Despite concerns over rider safety, particularly in the wake of the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt in the race last week, the climb and descent of Monte Crostis will remain, according to la Gazzetta dello Sport. Following Weylandt’s crash on the descent of the Passo del Bocco on stage three between Reggio Emilia and Rapallo, and that of Tom Slagter on stage five between Piombino and Orvieto, a number of riders had expressed concerns over the steep, technical descent.
These fears, it seems, have now been allayed.
Following yesterday’s stage to Mount Etna, the peloton all dined in the same restaurant in Catania, Sicily, before heading off to the airport for the long transfer to Termoli on the east coast. While at dinner, Giro d’Italia race director Angelo Zomegnan took the chance to show a video of the descent to a number of the concerned riders, including race leader Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard), race favourite Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale), David Millar (Garmin-Cervélo) and Dario Cioni (Team Sky).
The video apparently showed the numerous safety measures taken by the race organisation on the descent, including mattresses and downhill skiing style safety nets. There have been no official comments from the riders as yet, but the hour-long meeting was described as positive.
“The descent of the Crostis has been secured and remains included in the programme of the Giro,” said Zomegnan.
Stage 14 of the Giro will be one of the toughest in the race. Before taking on the descent of Monte Crostis the peloton will have to climb it; rising more than 1300 metres in 14km, the road averages almost 10% and features sections of up to 18%.
Once over the top of Crostis the riders will then be faced with the 10.1km gradients of Monte Zoncolan, which average 11.5%, and include parts of 22%.