Critérium du Dauphiné: a deluge of hail hits the runners

The storms that have hit the last forty-eight hours across France after the heatwave did not spare part of the peloton of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Thursday, when Primoz Roglic had just taken the second stage for a few minutes at the top of the Col de Porte, in the Chartreuse massif, a deluge of hail hit late runners.

Hailstones as big as marbles then covered the roadway, reminiscent of the climatic cataclysm that disrupted the Tour de France in the Alps last year. Unprecedented conditions for the month of August which forced almost all the athletes still in the race to a standstill on the roads that had become impassable.

Many Riders - including our boys - were hit by one hell of a hail storm - worst Than anything we expirienced. The scene was total chaos and mayhem. .. riders running for cover, hit hard by icy mini ping pong balls. #CriteriumduDauphine@dauphinepic.twitter.com/Y6XI0PCSRs

@GroupamaFDJ on the road to @ DAUPHINE # CritériumduDauphinéLibéré # Dauphinépic.twitter.com / e4bSXQ5uW8

Despite this violent storm, most of the latecomers were able to continue their journey. Not all of them, since the German Tony Martin (Jumbo-Visma) has chosen to take refuge carefully under the trees, helped by spectators.

Apparently Tony Martin finished outside time limit but he is allowed to continue. After seeing a video clip it's clear why Panzerwagen didn't finish earlier. # Dauphinepic.twitter.com / B3aXUwlLXB

The price for seeing the finish line has been high for others. Tim Declercq, runner of the Deceunink-Quickstep, uploaded an impressive photo of his bruised back with the traces left by the impacts of the hailstones. The Blege has not lost its sense of humor, however, with this caption accompanying the cliché: "As if the Dauphiné were not already hard enough for the legs."

Read also

• Dauphiné: Roglic won the 2nd stage ahead of Thibaut Pinot