(Ponte di Legno, ITA) - Heavy snow at altitude has forced the cancellation of the Giro d'Italia's 19th stage, organisers said Friday.
On the first of two consecutive stages in the Dolomites, the peloton was due to tackle two major mountain passes - the Gavia and the Stelvio, the latter, at 2,758 metres, being the highest point of the race's 96th edition.
That plan was virtually abandoned late on Thursday stage when organisers, fearing for the safety of the peloton, announced a 'Plan B' with the Gavia and Stelvio replaced by the Tonale and Castrin mountain passes.
However it was discovered early on Friday that the Tonale pass was also snowbound.
On Thursday, race leader Vincenzo Nibali of Italy extended his advantage over his closest rival, Australian Cadel Evans, to 4min 02sec after winning a 20.6 km uphill time trial.
The race finishes in Brescia on Sunday.
