The men's Tre Valli Varesine race was halted with 110 km to go due to heavy rain and the increased risk of crashes.

The distance was shortened to 170 km and the race started as scheduled, but the rain continued to fall heavily, with water pouring onto the roads and overflowing drains in some areas.

The racers, including world champion Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), stopped at the finish area in the center of Varese after three laps to talk to race organizers before the race was abandoned. Teams confirmed the news via social media, posting images and videos of the extreme weather conditions.

Before the race was abandoned, Enric Mas (Movistar), Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-Easypost), Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-Aroura), Lorenzo Germani (Groupama-FDJ), Romain Bardet (Team dsm-Filmenig Post NL) and Tobias Foss (Ineos Grenadiers) made an early attack to keep warm and safe on the roads around Varese.

The peloton was timed at 4:00, but after initial discussions with the race organizers and the UCI commissaires, the riders stopped at the finish line in Varese.

Pogachar spoke with other riders and the race director about the deteriorating conditions and was at the forefront of the riders who stopped in the center of Varese.

“I tried to race and I raced well until I could. On the last lap downhill, I was in second place behind (Alessandro) Covi and I didn't know where I was going,” Pogachar said before taking a hot shower on the UAE Team Emirates bus.

“Everyone wanted to stop. It was only a matter of time before someone would crash at any moment. Standing water is not a good thing.”

“I understand the organizers want the race. It's sad that the race can't continue, but this is how it is. I have discussed this with the organizers and fortunately everyone has been reasonable.

“I could see how grave the organizer's boss was feeling. He had tears in his eyes. This race means a lot to them and it's a beautiful race. They understood that right away. I really appreciate it and I'm glad they made the decision to end the race.”

Pogachar seemed particularly concerned about crashing in deep water.

“It's the worst kind of crash, like losing the handlebars and going over the bike.

“It's not like sliding on the asphalt and getting lucky and just grazing,” Pogachal continued. If you crash when you least expect it and hit your head on the handlebars, we know what concussions can do. I know a lot of friends in the peloton who have suffered concussions this year. We need to be more careful in the peloton.”

Race organizer Renzo Aldani spoke briefly, admitting that safety comes first.

“It was a difficult decision. Safety comes first for the riders and for the spectators,” Aldani said.

He added: “It's a very difficult decision to make.

“It hurts only after a year of hard work, but I will encourage the staff and volunteers after the athletes promise to come back next year.”