The jump of the federal state of Carinthia with stage locations, great economic uncertainties, enormous inflation rates – the local cycling association is once again not looking to blame itself for the third cancellation of the Tour of Austria, even if cycling elsewhere internationally is almost rolling again as before corona pandemic. The home teams are the main victims of the disaster. From them it hails harsh criticism.
“If I were running a company like this, I would have been broke two years ago,” says Thomas Kofler from Team Vorarlberg, who signed Riccardo Zoidl, the 2013 Tour winner, especially for the tour this year. Dominik Hrinkow also finds clear words from the Steyr Continental team, which has been strong so far this year. “Cycling is booming in Austria and the men in the national association don’t care. That begs the question of whether you don’t want to or can’t! In both cases, they should vacate their posts for motivated and committed people.”
The Tour de Sibiu in Romania is now planned as a replacement program. Felbermayr Wels also drives there to limit the damage. “We teams have suggested a smaller tour with a lower category. Anything would be better than nothing. And now we have nothing in our hands,” says Andreas Grossek, the sporting director. As a small consolation, the Upper Austria tour from June 9th to 12th, which is well organized by the regional association, remains for the time being.
With Matthias Brändle, a driver also spoke up at the weekend. “With so many Austrian professionals, an Olympic champion and many other races taking place, the question arises for me why the national association can’t get it right again.”
Hindley wins, Lopez saves Rosa
The Australian Jai Hindley (Bora) yesterday won the particularly tough Abruzzo stage with 5000 meters of altitude to the Blockhaus mountain finish. The Spaniard Juan Pedro Lopez (Trek) started today’s rest day only twelve seconds ahead of Joao Almeida.
Patrick Konrad (Bora) finished the five-day Tour of Hungary yesterday in eighth place.
Source: Nachrichten
