Tao Geoghegan Hart was keen to celebrate his second consecutive stage win at the Tour of the Alps, but spared no expense in criticizing the winding finale of the stage to Litten, where Felix Gall (AG2R Citroen) crashed out.

Race leader Felix Gall of Ineos Grenadiers was in a fierce battle for position on the downhill curve with 500 meters to go. Geoghegan Hart was in front and held off Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious) heading to the concrete finish, but he exploded in anger after the finish.

"I really like this race and the organizers, but I didn't like that finish. If only the last 300 meters had been wet with concrete ...... It was a bit too much for me," explained Geoghegan Hart at the post-race press conference.

"If the winner of a race pedals 80 meters in the last 300 meters, I don't know if that is typical of bicycle racing. When you see Felix Gall crash in that corner, he was just trying to do a normal sprint and he was a little bit on the limit. For me, the last 500 meters were not right."

Some of the most successful riders in the peloton today often avoid taking a position on race safety and the broader interests of the peloton due to pressure from major race organizers, the UCI, and sponsors.

Geoghegan Hart has never been afraid to speak up and take a stand for his fellow riders. He did so as a leader and stage winner of the Tour de Alps, emphasizing how the election of new CPA president Adam Hansen is focused on safety.

"Honestly, I didn't want to say too much, but at the end of the day, there aren't that many people who would give me a little head's up.

"It shouldn't be about a great stage, but it's important not to overlook these things. We have a new CPA president, Adam Hansen, and he is doing great things to create dialogue in a positive way. It's important that we all move in the right direction [regarding race safety]."

[16] "To be clear, I was not mad at Jack Hague. [17] [18] "This is a good race. I could have finished on the main road. I understand the desire to do something different, but it needs to be done the right way.