London - Arabstoday
Giro d\'Italia is set for an intense finale
The 14th stage of the Giro d\'Italia had to be trimmed by 12km on Saturday due to snow at Sestriere, organisers said.
The mountainous Alpine route was supposed to climb up to Sestriere but
concerns over safety on the descent down the other side have caused organisers to take it out.
Instead the new route will take in the Susa valley before finishing above Bardonecchia in Jafferau, as planned, following a punishing final 7.3km climb.
It means the stage has been reduced from 180km to 168km.
And Sunday\'s 15th stage has also been changed due to snow at the top of the French Galibier, where it was due to finish, after a decision made by the government of the Savoie region.
The new finishing line will come in the village of Verneys, 3km on from the Valloire ski station and 15km lower down than the original planned finish on the Galibier at a height of 2,642 metres above sea level.
The Mont-Cenis climb has also been removed from the stage, although the exact route has yet to be published.
It was supposed to roll over 149km from Cesana Torinese to the Galibier having gone over Mont-Cenis and the Telegraphe.