The sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse has been shortened after a massive rock fall and will start in Chur instead of La Punt. The organizers of the bike race announced this before the start.
A total of 65 kilometers are omitted because the route over the Albula Pass cannot be driven on. The stage now leads over almost 141 kilometers from Chur to Oberwil-Lieli in the canton of Aargau. A huge stream of rock and debris just missed the Swiss mountain village of Brienz on Friday night.
The preparatory race for the Tour de France had been overshadowed by two serious falls the day before. According to race director Olivier Senn, Swiss Gino Mäder had to be resuscitated. Further information about the state of health of the 26-year-old was not initially available from his team Bahrain-Victorious. American Magnus Sheffield was also taken to the hospital, suffering a concussion and bruises.
World Champion Remco Evenepoel from Belgium was among the drivers who criticized the organizers because of the route. It wasn’t a smart idea to place the finish of such a stage after a descent, said the 23-year-old, according to the Swiss newspaper “Blick”. “But you obviously still need more spectacle. Something just has to happen for you to react,” said Evenepoel.
