The 2023 edition of Tre Valli Varesine, one of Italy’s most prestigious one-day races, will be remembered not for its thrilling finish but for its abrupt and dramatic cancellation. As the peloton battled through worsening weather conditions, the race was called off midway, marking a rare and unprecedented decision in professional cycling. Among the many riders affected, Tadej Pogacar, one of the sport’s biggest stars and a pre-race favorite, offered his full support for the decision, emphasizing the importance of rider safety and praising the organizers for acting decisively.
Tre Valli Varesine: A Race Steeped in Tradition
Founded in 1919, Tre Valli Varesine is part of the Trittico Lombardo, a series of late-season Italian races that are highly anticipated by both riders and fans. The event typically features a mix of climbing and technical terrain, providing an opportunity for puncheurs and all-rounders to shine as the cycling season winds down. With its hilly profile and challenging roads, it serves as a perfect warm-up for riders preparing for the season-ending monument, Il Lombardia.
For the 2023 edition, all eyes were on riders like Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, and Michael Matthews, who were expected to contend for victory. With Pogacar coming off another spectacular season, which included wins at the Tour of Flanders and Il Lombardia, his presence at Tre Valli Varesine heightened anticipation for what was supposed to be a thrilling race.
However, Mother Nature had other plans.
The Race Begins Amid Threatening Conditions
On the morning of the race, weather forecasts predicted rain, but no one could have anticipated just how bad the conditions would become. As the riders lined up for the start, the sky was already overcast, with light rain falling on the streets of Varese. Despite the wet conditions, the peloton rolled out in good spirits, eager to take on the undulating course that would take them through the scenic Lombardy region.
As the race progressed, however, the weather took a dramatic turn for the worse. What started as a drizzle soon became a torrential downpour, with visibility rapidly decreasing. Heavy rain, combined with thick fog, created hazardous conditions that left riders struggling to navigate the slippery roads. Descending on treacherous, rain-slicked surfaces, the peloton was faced with dangerous corners and poor visibility, making crashes almost inevitable.
Several riders began to voice concerns about the worsening conditions, with crashes occurring more frequently as the roads became waterlogged. Pogacar himself was seen struggling at the front of the race, carefully navigating through the treacherous terrain as the visibility diminished to nearly zero in some sections.
Safety Concerns Mount
As the race continued, it became clear that the deteriorating weather posed a serious threat to the riders’ safety. The fog was so thick that many riders couldn’t see more than a few meters in front of them, while the rain showed no signs of letting up. Communication between team cars and riders also became increasingly difficult, with many struggling to hear instructions over the sound of the downpour and battling to stay upright on their bikes.
Crashes began to occur with alarming frequency. A particularly dangerous moment came when a group of riders went down hard on a sharp corner, highlighting just how treacherous the conditions had become. Several teams, including UAE Team Emirates, were vocal in their concerns, with some riders gesturing to the race officials that continuing was becoming too dangerous.
Race organizers faced an incredibly difficult decision: continue the race and risk further accidents, or call it off altogether and face the inevitable disappointment from fans and riders alike. After consulting with team directors, riders, and safety officials, the decision was made to cancel the race mid-event.
The Decision to Cancel: A Rare Move in Professional Cycling
Race cancellations in professional cycling are rare, particularly when a race is already underway. Organizers often go to great lengths to ensure that events can proceed, even in challenging conditions. However, the safety of the riders must always come first, and in this case, it was clear that the extreme weather had created conditions that were simply too dangerous to race in.
The official statement from the organizers cited “adverse weather conditions and unsafe road surfaces” as the primary reasons for the cancellation. While some fans were disappointed that they wouldn’t get to see the race’s conclusion, most understood that the organizers had made the right call. After all, racing at high speeds in such conditions posed a serious risk of injury, and no rider’s health is worth sacrificing for the sake of finishing a race.
Tadej Pogacar’s Reaction: “It Was the Right Call”
Among the most prominent voices in support of the decision to halt the race was Tadej Pogacar, who had been in good form and was expected to contend for the win. Shortly after the race was called off, Pogacar spoke to the media, expressing his full support for the organizers’ decision.
“We couldn’t see anything out there,” Pogacar said in a post-race interview. “It was becoming way too dangerous to continue. When you’re going downhill at high speeds and you can’t see more than a few meters in front of you, it’s impossible to race safely. I think the organizers made the right call to stop the race.”
Pogacar’s comments echoed the sentiments of many riders in the peloton, who had been struggling to stay upright in the extreme conditions. For Pogacar, safety was the top priority, and he praised the race organizers for acting decisively. “As much as we all wanted to race and finish, it just wasn’t worth risking serious injury,” he added. “I think everyone out there today agreed that it was the right choice.”
The Slovenian star’s maturity and level-headedness shone through in his response, as he emphasized the importance of putting rider safety above all else. Pogacar, who is known for his aggressive racing style and fearlessness on the bike, recognized that the conditions were simply too dangerous, even for the world’s best riders.
A Season Full of Highs for Pogacar
The cancellation of Tre Valli Varesine came at the tail end of what has been another spectacular season for Pogacar. While the race’s abrupt end was disappointing, it likely won’t overshadow the incredible year the Slovenian has had. His 2023 season has been highlighted by victories in some of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Nice, and his third career win at Il Lombardia.
After a challenging Tour de France where he finished second to Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar bounced back with a string of late-season victories that once again solidified his status as one of the best cyclists in the world. His versatility, able to win in both Grand Tours and one-day classics, makes him a unique and dominant force in professional cycling.
With Tre Valli Varesine now behind him, Pogacar will turn his attention to the final races of the season, including the all-important Il Lombardia, where he will be aiming to add yet another monument victory to his already impressive palmarès.
The Broader Impact on Professional Cycling
The decision to cancel Tre Valli Varesine mid-race raises important questions about how cycling handles extreme weather events. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the safety of riders in increasingly challenging conditions, whether due to extreme heat, heavy rain, or dangerous road surfaces. The debate over when and how to stop a race has become more prominent, especially as climate change leads to more unpredictable and severe weather patterns around the world.
In 2021, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) introduced a new Extreme Weather Protocol, allowing race organizers to neutralize or cancel races in the event of dangerous weather. While this protocol has been invoked on several occasions since its introduction, the cancellation of Tre Valli Varesine represents one of the most high-profile applications of the rule.
For riders like Pogacar, the protocol is a welcome safeguard. “We want to race, of course,” Pogacar said. “But we also need to stay safe. Sometimes you have to accept that the conditions just aren’t good enough to continue.”
As the cycling world moves on from Tre Valli Varesine, the focus now shifts to the final races of the 2023 season. While the cancellation was an unfortunate end to what could have been an exciting race, it also serves as a reminder that rider safety must always come first. Pogacar’s endorsement of the decision underscores the growing recognition within the sport that extreme weather poses real dangers, and that no victory is worth risking a rider’s health.
For Pogacar and his UAE Team Emirates squad, the 2023 season remains a remarkable success, and they’ll be looking to finish the year on a high note. With Pogacar already targeting Il Lombardia and potentially other late-season races, the Slovenian star will have plenty of opportunities to add to his impressive haul of victories.
The 2023 Tre Valli Varesine will be remembered not for a thrilling race to the finish but for the unexpected and necessary decision to cancel the event mid-race. In the face of extreme weather conditions, the race organizers made a difficult but ultimately correct call, prioritizing the safety of the riders over the continuation of the competition. Tadej Pogacar, one of the most prominent riders in the peloton, offered his full support for the decision, highlighting the importance of rider safety in the face of dangerous conditions.
While the cancellation was disappointing for fans and riders alike, it serves as a reminder that professional cycling is an inherently dangerous sport, and the safety of its participants must always come first. For Pogacar, the focus now shifts to the remaining races of the season, where he will continue to cement his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest talents.
