ThePeloton began the fourth stage of the Andalusia tour on Friday, slightly later than expected. Riders protested “the lack of attention paid to their demands for racing safety,” according to the press release from the Professional Riders Association (CPA).

According to the Knights, Thursday’s theatrical course, with gravel and potholes descending, “endangers their safety and well-being.” The situation adds to the “long and arduous journeys that athletes have been subjected to during this race,” the CPA asserts.

“The contestants understand the difficulties faced by the regulator in the post-pandemic period, but they request that we pay more attention and respect to this situation, as it is also a requirement of the regulations,” explains the press release. “The safety of athletes should be a priority in regulating all races, large and small, and they will no longer tolerate serious shortcomings like those they faced yesterday. This symbolic protest aims to bring this important issue to the attention of the organizers and the UCI.”

Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) begins this fourth and penultimate stage, 182.9 kilometers between Baza and Colar Vega, with the leader’s shirt on his shoulders.