Tour Feminin des Pyrenees abandoned after excessive presence of cars prompts multiple teams to pull out

In a serious blow to the credibility of the event, the second edition of the Tour Feminin des Pyrenees was forced to be abandoned on Sunday afternoon after multiple teams pulled out.

A fiasco of disorganisation led to roads not being closed, a shortage of race marshals, and complaints from teams and riders alike.

Since the first stage began on Friday, multiple riders were involved in collisions and falls. One suffered a fractured nose and multiple riders were taken to hospital.

Saturday’s second stage had already been badly affected by heavy traffic, with 24 kilometres of the course having to be neutralised.

As an open course race, some cars were expected on the roads alongside the riders, but teams complained that the numbers were excessive.

The race organisers had declared their intention that the final stage go ahead on Sunday morning.

In a statement, director Pascal Baudron said: “What is happening is that the girls have demands that are not in line with their level. They imagine that they are in the Tour de France and that all roads must be closed, that everything must be locked down. But in France, we cannot do that. (…) At the moment, we have not received any negative feedback, and we are resuming under normal conditions. Yesterday (Saturday), the president of the jury and the main referee went to see the girls, specifying that their requests were unacceptable.”

The decision was taken to the teams, who voted 17 against and seven in favour of continuing the race.

Adam Hansen, the president of riders’ union CPA explained.

He said: “Considering the safety risks involved, we firmly believe that a bike race is not worth endangering the lives of the female cyclists. Therefore, we stand in support of the decision made by the women to discontinue the race, and we believe the race results should remain as they are, including UCI points, ensuring that the women are duly recognised and rewarded for their efforts.”

As a result of the final stage being abandoned, Italian FDJ Suez rider Marti Cavalli was declared the winner.

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