Étoile de Bessèges 2025, Benjamin Thomas: "We runners treated like circus animals"

Rome, 11 February 2025 - Probably theStar of Bessèges, in the panorama of cycling races, has never enjoyed such notoriety, but at what cost? Between the discontent of the riders, the disappointment of the organizers and investigations by theUCI, the question is still open and every day it is enriched by a new piece: today it is the turn of Benjamin Thomas give your opinion on what happened in the south of France and, in general, on the current state of cycling.

Thomas' statements

 "We runners are considered circus animals: they put our lives at risk for 20mila euros": this is the comment of the standard-bearer of the Cofidis, notoriously one of the riders in the group most accustomed to expressing his opinion, even at the cost of being harsh. The reference of the Frenchman, resident in Italy and companion in the life of the colleague, on the road and on the track, Martina Alzini, goes to what happened in two stages of the race in question and then won by Kevin Vauquelin: to be precise, the many cars that found themselves on the track, uncovering the numerous critical issues in organising a competition Uci Europe Tour di 2.1 category. Among the first immediate consequences, pending what the International Federation, there were mass withdrawals of several teams. "We were talking to the other riders and even those who withdrew had said that they wanted to continue racing. But if we want to do it, after this, we have to say that it is no longer possible without doing anything". Then Thomas come back to better explain the concept of those 20mila euros of discord. "I read that at Besseges they were missing 20mila euros to balance the budget and that's why they wanted to continue. I know the budgets of theUCI and when I read about these figures I understand how such nonsense can transform theStar of Bessèges in a ridiculous spectacle. The problem is that resources are being taken away from these races. TheUCI should step in and take a stand, as well as provide advice and funds." Indeed, it seems, the International Federation has launched investigations that could lead to strong positions: the spectrum ranges from fines to something more. Regardless of the fate of the southern race of the France, Thomas he is keen to stress the safety of the riders, speaking more generally. "We are not consulted, we receive the routes ten days before the races without being able to change things. We suffer situations like circus animals and I'm not just talking about falls: last year at Giro d'Italia we waited for a long time in very low temperatures only because we asked for respect for ourselves because of the snow. We were told to leave and return to our teams, under penalty of disqualification". The reference of Thomas goes to the now infamous Livigno-Santa Cristina, valid for the stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia 2024, literally mutilated due to the snow: with the associated controversies and cutting of the Coppi peak of the edition.

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