'The only motorbikes in the race were the guys in the breakaway' - Milan stage winner Fredrik Dversnes hits back at suspicions of motor pacing

Fredrik Dversnes claimed a surprising victory on stage 15 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, outpacing the peloton in a breakaway that held firm on the fast, flat streets of Milan. The stage set a new record average speed of 51.391 km/h, and while sprinters and their teams pushed hard to reel in the escapees, they ultimately fell short. Dversnes, riding for Uno-X Mobility, was the sole rider celebrating as the breakaway crossed the finish line ahead of a frustrated bunch sprint. The outcome sparked controversy among some riders, with accusations that the breakaway had unfairly benefited from motor pacing by a television motorbike. Max Walscheid of Lidl-Trek was among the first to voice these suspicions publicly, suggesting the four attackers gained an advantage from the slipstream of the race’s official motorbike. However, many of these claims came from riders who had been in the peloton rather than those directly involved in the break, and others, including sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, acknowledged the breakaway’s superior strength without attributing their success to external factors. Dversnes firmly rejected the allegations, insisting that the only motorbikes present were those accompanying the breakaway group and that the accusations were born from frustration. He highlighted the tactical advantage of being ahead on city circuits and praised his team’s resilience, acknowledging that the initial plan seemed unlikely to succeed but ultimately paid off. His comments underscored a long-standing tension in professional cycling, where motor pacing is a known but contentious issue, often invoked when results defy expectations. Responses from other riders reflected a mix of acceptance and cautious analysis. Paul Magnier of Soudal-QuickStep, who won the bunch sprint for fifth place, refrained from making direct accusations but admitted the chase had failed despite full efforts. Meanwhile, Lukáš Kubiš of Unibet Rose Rockets praised the breakaway’s effort as part of the sport’s unpredictability and excitement. The stage outcome and ensuing debate highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining fairness and transparency in high-speed road racing, with the spotlight now on how teams and officials will address such concerns moving forward.