The first stage of the Volta ao Algarve cycling race in Portugal ended in chaos after a large portion of the peloton took the wrong route near the finish line, leading race organizers to subsequently annul the stage results.
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02-24, 2025On Wednesday, as riders approached a roundabout on the final straight, the lead car mistakenly bypassed a traffic barrier, causing the majority of the peloton to follow, leaving spectators confused as if they were watching two separate races unfold simultaneously. The incident highlighted the importance of clear race guidance.
This confusion allowed Italian rider Filippo Ganna to complete what would have been an easier-than-expected sprint. Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers raised his arms in celebration before even crossing the finish line. Ganna told Eurosport after the race: "I knew that everyone went the wrong way and I went the right way." He added: "You need to know the rules, you need to know the course. In the past, I have gone the wrong way in time trials, so I lost the race. Now it's different, I won."
However, Ganna's joy was short-lived. No awards ceremony was held, the podium in Lagos remained empty, and the 192.2-kilometer stage starting from Portimão ultimately amounted to nothing. In a statement, race organizers said: "Near the finish line in Lagos, the peloton was divided, with a large number of riders taking the wrong route, following the support vehicles' detour and missing the finish line."
Race director Sergio Sousa stated: "The jury interpreted the regulations and, given what happened, decided to cancel the stage because they considered that the sporting truth was not reflected at the end." The peloton will begin the second stage on Thursday with the times reset to zero, offering a fresh start for all competitors.
