Italian cyclist Filippo Ganna appeared to win the first stage of the Volta ao Algarve on Wednesday. However, he was robbed of victory because the result of the bike race has been canceled after chaos ensued during the final kilometer.
Most of the participating riders went the wrong way and did not cross the finish line.
Ganna was in the middle of the peloton as Stage 1 of the five-day professional cycling event in Portugal neared its conclusion. The 28-year-old was not even close to being in contention. He had no less than 15 riders ahead of him as they neared the finish.
Riders were supposed to follow the course into one final roundabout that would then spit them out on a straightaway for a sprint to the line. Except that is not at all what happened.
It appeared as though the lead motorcycle split off to the right when riders were supposed to stay left. The majority of the peloton followed the motorcycle down the wrong path, right into a row of shocked spectators. Only a few split off from the pack and followed the course as directed.
Filippo Ganna went the correct way. As a result, he crossed the line in first place— long after the rogue group of riders passed by the finish line on the wrong side of the barrier.
Volta ao Algarve – Stage 1 Last 1km Full Movie
— Den@趣味垢 (@Den95504207) February 19, 2025
プロトンの大半が道を間違えてフィリッポ・ガンナが勝利
こんなの前代未聞じゃね？🧐
#voltaaoalgarve #jspocycle pic.twitter.com/us88wTpefM
Here is another look at the mayhem with audio that reflects the hilarity:
Alexa, play the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme song 😅#voltaaoalgarve #VoltaAlgarve pic.twitter.com/y5sRIgiTIe
— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) February 19, 2025
Here is how it was called in native tongue:
Esta vai para os apanhados, isto só mesmo em Portugal 😅#voltaaoalgarve pic.twitter.com/FFKFMjknnM
— Wilson Cruz (@wilcrz0026) February 19, 2025
As could be expected, a controversy ensued. The cyclists who went the wrong way were furious with the result. It was initially deemed a victory in favor of Filippo Ganna that was very quickly revoked. Stage 1 of the Volta ao Algarve is officially ruled invalid.
⚠️ A primeira etapa da 51.ª Volta ao Algarve foi anulada.
— Volta ao Algarve (@VoltAlgarve) February 19, 2025
Mais informações em breve.
Although it was under unfortunate circumstances, Ganna won the race. He followed the course as instructed and crossed over the finish line in first place. And yet, his win will not count.