Early mass crash causes race neutralisation, forces several riders to abandon on stage 3 of Tour of the Alps

A significant crash early in stage 3 of the Tour of the Alps caused a temporary neutralisation of the race and led to several riders abandoning due to injuries. The incident occurred just two kilometres into the stage from Laces to Arco, involving more than 30 riders. The chaotic scene saw numerous cyclists and bikes on the ground, with medical teams and ambulances attending to those affected, disrupting the flow of the race before it could be broadcast live. Among the riders forced to withdraw was under-23 World Champion Lorenzo Finn of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, who had been placed sixth overall prior to the stage. Other notable withdrawals included Damien Howson, Daniel Federspiel, Lorenzo Nespoli, Victor Langellotti, Felix Engelhardt, Manabu Ishibashi, and Ulrik Tvedt. The crash significantly impacted team strategies, particularly for Finn’s squad, which lost a key contender early in the race. Race organisers halted the competition for approximately 20 minutes to manage the aftermath before the peloton resumed. At the time of the report, the riders were tackling the day’s first major climb, the Hofmahdjoch/Passo Castrin, a 22.4-kilometre ascent at an average gradient of 5.7%. Despite the setback to his team, Giulio Pellizzari maintained his overall lead, with Ineos Grenadiers’ Thymen Arensman trailing by six seconds. The crash underscores the inherent risks in professional cycling, particularly during high-stakes mountain stages where the peloton is tightly packed and the terrain challenging. The incident may influence how teams approach safety and positioning in future races, as well as impact the dynamics of the Tour of the Alps moving forward. With several riders sidelined, the competition for the general classification could see significant shifts in the coming stages.