João Almeida, the winner of stage 4 of the Paris-Nice race, defended the continuation of the event despite severe weather conditions. While others, including new race leader Jonas Vingegaard, voiced concerns about safety, Almeida argued that the worst of the weather had passed and that stopping the race would be unjustified. Thierry Gouvenou from the race organization supported this view, citing new UCI protocols regarding race safety in adverse weather. Almeida’s insistence on toughness highlights the resilience inherent in the sport of cycling.
Almeida stated, 'The worst was over, there was no safety risk... Cycling is not a sport for softies, sometimes you have to be tough.'
Vingegaard expressed frustration, saying, 'Everyone was freezing, nobody could feel their brakes,' reflecting concerns over racing in harsh conditions.
Gouvenou emphasized safety, stating, 'We quickly realised the stage needed to be neutralised... it’s a decision for the jury and the organiser.'
Almeida’s victory in stage 4 illustrates resilience in cycling, as he stood by the decision to continue racing despite harsh weather conditions.
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