Prologue in Chiusa had to be stopped because of a storm

The start of the 60th edition of the  International austrian cycling tour had to be stopped in cause of a storm. Shortly after the finish of the world champion Tom Boonen, in the 1.5-kilometer prologue in Chiusa, the prologue had to be stopped because of heavy rain and storm.

After a violent thunderstorm with heavy rain, the race jury of the UCI decided: The race will be cancelled and neutralized. The yellow jersey tomorrow will be worn by Steffen Radochla from Germany (Elk Haus Simplon). The sprint specialist Radochla started fifth and finished with the time of 2:06:05 minutes. Second placed is the Gustav Larsson (CSC) from Sweden and third Roberto Ferrari (LPR), the best rider from Austria is Markus Eibegger (Elk Haus Simplon) on the 4th place.

"It was a security decision of the UCI jury. Of course we are not pleased with the abandonment, but there had been a storm with heavy rain and lightnings" said Tour director Ursula Riha. The winner of the prologue Steffen Radochla, who won in the last year in the second stage of the international austrian cycling tour and the Dutch classic Veenendaal-Veenendaal: "Of course I was privileged of the weather, when I started it was still good weather. But I was leading for a long time. Nevertheless, I am pleased about my performance and will wear the yellow jersey tomorrow - that counts."

On tomorrows first stage all riders will start with the same time. The peloton is starting at 11:50 in Chisua and will arrive in Toblach after 171 kilomteters around 16:00 o'clock.