Will the queen stage of the Giro d’Italia fall victim to the weather again? Snow threatens the Colle delle Finestre

The slopes of the Colle delle Finestre have been the stage for some of the most iconic stories in cycling history. Think back to 2018, when Chris Froome rode everyone off his wheel after Simon Yates collapsed, paving the way to his Giro d’Italia victory. Or the legendary showdown in 2005 with Paolo Savoldelli. Memorable chapters in cycling, all written on this iconic Italian climb.

This year, the organizers of the season’s first Grand Tour were once again hoping for a potentially legendary discovery on the Finestre. But the chances of that happening now seem slim. The climb is currently buried under a thick layer of snow, up to 40 centimeters deep. Not exactly promising conditions.

But the snowfall isn’t the only issue. The second part of the Colle delle Finestre is unpaved, which makes things even more complicated for the organizers. With melting snow, there is a serious risk of mudslides. That poses a major threat not just to the riders but also to the entire race convoy.

Still, the Giro organization is holding out hope that the climb can remain part of the route. It is a stunning but brutally tough ascent that could easily decide the general classification. Everyone is hoping for another epic showdown on this Italian decider, just like in 2018. A true discovery moment in the making.