Riders stopped on the roadside, enjoying a pee break, a moment to nibble on an energy bar, chat or even pose for a few selfies with the spectators: the images of the Road Cycling World Championship are unusual. In Scotland, after two hours of racing, the organizers were forced to neutralize the event due to the presence of demonstrators on the route.
While the nine breakaways of the day (who had a lead of more than 7 minutes) had just passed the 200 km mark for a few minutes, a traffic jam of organization cars on the narrow roads leading to Glasgow s ‘is formed. The fugitives then set foot on the ground around 12:20 p.m. They were imitated in stride by three pursuers, then the peloton.
A police truck was seen making its way through the completely stationary runners. Some cyclists took place in the warm selection cars. David Lappartient, president of the International Cycling Union, was also present at the scene of the incident.
The realization of the World Championships did not wish to show the images of the demonstrators nor to evoke the nature of their message. It would be four protesters whose hands were stuck on the road, belonging to the group “This is Rigged” which calls for the cessation of hydrocarbon exploration in the United Kingdom.
The race resumed after almost an hour of interruption following the intervention of a service responsible for taking off the hands of the demonstrators, then their evacuation. The gaps preceding this forced break were taken into account once the race has started again in the direction of Glasgow where the finish will be judged.