According to Tuttobiciweb.it, the Serenissima Gravel Race was cancelled after only one lap of racing after rain made parts of the course impassable.

The 150-kilometer Italian gravel race, which takes place on a route that is 65% gravel and dirt roads, had already been shortened by one lap to 112.5 kilometers and ended after one 37.5-kilometer lap. The race website describes the 15 km as being along the Brenta River.

Reports indicate that some parts of the route were not passable for support vehicles, and organizers decided to cancel the race due to safety concerns for the racers.

Race director Filippo Pozzato explained that “the river near Cittadella was flooding, endangering the safety of the riders.”

“The high water level was also hampering the assistance bikes, so we discussed it with the riders and teams and we all decided to cancel.”

At the start were former gravel world champion Gianni Vermeersch and teammates Kayden Groves and Xandro Moulis of Alpecin Deceuninck, Davide Toneatti of Astana, Vincenzo Albanese of Alcare B&B Hotels and 36 professional riders, including Amaury Capio, Niccolo Parissini (Q36.5), Filippo Fiorelli and Filippo Magri (VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizane).

The race is also popular among amateur riders, and Pozzato said their entries are reimbursed.

“I feel bad for the amateurs. I'm sorry to all of you, but I really couldn't continue,” Pozzato said.