Not everyone is happy with the decision to cancel the stage in the Tour of Turkey: "Personally, I don’t think it should’ve been canceled"
CyclingThursday, 01 May 2025 at 17:30
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Follow us on GoogleThe fifth stage of the Tour of Turkey has been canceled. Just like on Wednesday, the organizers had to deal with heavy rainfall, which initially caused a slight delay in the start. Soon after, however, the decision was made to cancel Thursday's stage altogether. This answered the wishes of Tibor Del Grosso, among others.
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Tibor Del Grosso lost his leader's jersey in the Tour of Turkey, but that didn't stop the 21-year-old Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck from putting on a show on a wet third day. The top talent rewarded the Turkish fans for their support and was also active on social media, with funny comments and a serious question.
Del Grosso did little to defend his blue leader's jersey on day 3. He finished 40th, almost ten minutes behind stage winner and new leader Wout Poels (XDS-Astana). He could have finished slightly faster, but Del Grosso opted for a wheelie just before the finish. This was certainly not the first time, as the Dutch rider recently impressed his fans by riding up the entire Eyserbosweg in South Limburg on one wheel.
It was a heartwarming moment on a wet day in Turkey. The day's stage was completed as planned, and Del Grosso made a humorous comment about it on the morning of the fourth stage. Heavy rain was forecast again. "I say: the jury should use a convertible today to make a better decision in this weather."
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Del Grosso doesn't understand the slippery asphalt in Turkey
But it wasn't all fun and games for Del Grosso in Turkey. He also asked his followers on X for some much-needed advice after there were a lot of crashes in the rain during the third stage. "Does anyone know the science behind grip on asphalt? How is the Turkish tarmac so much more slippery? In the dry, it already doesn’t feel grippy, but today, it was insane in the wet."
Del Grosso managed to stay upright, but it took a lot of skill and luck. "Like driving on ice, never took a descend so slow and still be sliding around in every corner." The organizers of the Tour of Turkey will also consider these circumstances. Provided the weather improves a little, there are still stages scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Unlike Del Grosso, Uno-X wanted to ride
The riders of Uno-X Mobility were keen to ride, according to Cyclinguptodate. "In general, I think racing should go ahead, but this decision came after yesterday, which was genuinely dangerous," said sports director Christian Andersen. "Personally, I don't think it should've been canceled. But it's always difficult when there are so many different factors in play. That's just how it is sometimes."
That said, the sports director does understand the decision. "Of course, the riders are concerned for their safety. This is their livelihood, and they’re afraid of crashing because the roads are so slick here. The riders want to race - that’s their job, and that’s why they do it. They’re out there trying to get results. So, canceling a stage means losing an opportunity. It’s not like the riders are simply relieved not to race."
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- So no Eddy Merckx successor again—how long has Belgium actually waited for a Worlds road title? And what does “rainbow jersey” mean exactly? Is it only for one race or the whole season?michael5428-09-2026
- Not buying the “clear favourite” tag. On paper, yes, but the field was stacked. If Remco had the legs we’d have seen him bridge on the penultimate lap. No excuses—just not their day. Still proud. Allez les Belges… pero hoy no fue.sprocketspiny28-09-2026
- Bit harsh from HLN. Van Aert was clearly off after 65k to go, but that doesn’t make them “there for show.” Conditions + course attrition + rivals peaking—sometimes others are just better. Happens. Chapeau to the Americans.jeremya28-09-2026
- Are Paul Seixas and Del Toro usually this strong on longer climbs, or was the Montreal circuit just suiting punchers more than pure classics guys? Also, why didn’t Belgium send someone up the road earlier?samanthak28-09-2026
- Great read. Tactics were too passive once the splits formed. When Seixas and Del Toro punched it on the Côte, Remco needed a teammate to pace back—Belgium waited and the gap became terminal. Still, sensational Worlds overall.bikebuffj28-09-2026
- - Congrats Brandon! Pero siento que Isaac tenía piernas para podio, solo mala colocación en el último kilómetro. Qué carrerón, ¡vamos México!samanthak28-09-2026
- - Fair play to McNulty, massive engine and timed it perfectly, but the article is a bit harsh on Del Toro. He was isolated for the last 30k and still covered dangerous counters. Saying he was “supporting” feels like a reach.pedalpowe2928-09-2026
- - Can someone explain: are riders allowed to work together if they’re from the same pro team but different national teams? Is that normal at Worlds or kind of frowned upon?bikebuffj28-09-2026
- - Not sure I buy Pidcock’s take. Worlds is nations, yeah, but if Del Toro had chased Brandon he’d have handed the sprint to Pedersen/Bettiol. He marked moves all day and just lost wheels before the final kick. Positioning, not intent, cost him.raceready728-09-2026
- - Brilliant race analysis. Del Toro emptied the tank with those late digs on Camillien-Houde, but once McNulty launched, the elastic snapped. Fifth isn’t what he wanted, but tactically he couldn’t chase a trade teammate without dragging the group. Tough spot for Mexico with such a small squad.gearguru3328-09-2026
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