Riders and fans scramble for cover as hailstorm hits Dauphiné stage 2 finish
Minutes after the overall favorites at the Critérium du Dauphiné did battle with each other in the first major GC clash of the race on the Col de Porte, riders and spectators alike were assailed by a different adversary: the weather.
Shortly after Primoz Roglic crossed the line to win Thursday’s stage 2, what had been moderate rainfall turned into an intense hailstorm, pelting anyone caught outside on the pass in the Chartreuse Mountains. That included a large number of riders still making their way to the finish line.
Many Riders – including our boys – were hit by one hell of a hail storm – worst Than anything we expirienced. The scene was total chaos and mayhem. .. riders running for cover, hit hard by icy mini ping pong balls. #CriteriumduDauphine @dauphine pic.twitter.com/Y6XI0PCSRs
— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) August 13, 2020
Riders and fans took cover where they could to avoid the barrage of hailstones.
Not everyone managed to find cover before the precipitation took its toll. Tim Declercq (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and Maxime Chevalier (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) were left covered in welts.
Hit by huge hailstones. Incredible pic.twitter.com/dcVrVk4jCH
— José Been (@TourDeJose) August 13, 2020
???? @maxxxchr attaqué par un peloton de grêlons sur la deuxième étape du @dauphine ! ????????
???? Respect les gars. #Dauphiné l #ThereIsNoTry pic.twitter.com/iIcpeA9VLD
— B&B HOTELS – VITAL CONCEPT P/B KTM (@BBHotels_VC) August 13, 2020
Meanwhile, at the finish, the storm apparently proved too heavy for an inflatable roof over the podium ceremony.
Hopefully, the Dauphiné peloton will have a chance to recover with a good night sleep. After Wednesday’s grueling climb and sudden storm, the race continues Friday with a trip up the Col de Madeleine and another summit finish.
Arrivée de la 2ème étape du @dauphine / Col de Porte.
Vivre sa meilleure vie. pic.twitter.com/fVsccRimMg
— Marion Gachies (@MarionGachies) August 13, 2020
Ferocious hailstorm at the finish on the Col de Porte. We’ve just taken in a mum and her baby who were caught in it. Podium ceremony was still going on until the inflatable roof came down as Bernal was getting the white jersey #Dauphine pic.twitter.com/4kh5owHDsQ
— Peter Cossins (@petercossins) August 13, 2020
???? SOUND ON ????
Nothing like a little lightning storm to ruin your interview @chrisfroome ?????? pic.twitter.com/OHh6OuDljd
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) August 13, 2020
???? Crazy weather at the finish of stage 2 at the #Dauphine ????????, happy to report all our guys finished safely.#UAETeamEmirates #RideTogether pic.twitter.com/0DZnPy0KRn
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamUAEAbuDhabi) August 13, 2020
Within seconds the road looked like a ice rink and riders were desperately trying to stay on their bikes … or to decide to walk up to the finish line on the ice… #criteriumdauphine @dauphine pic.twitter.com/u5UN2SM43F
— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) August 13, 2020
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