Riders forced to stop, shelter from freak hail storm at Valromey Tour

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After his stage win of yesterday, Irish champion Patrick Casey – far right – was among those riders forced to take shelter from crazy storms at Ain Bugey Valromey Tour in France

Some 24 hours after hail stones six centimetres in diameter were reported in parts of France, the same freakish weather hit the junior French stage race, Ain Bugey Valromey Tour.

Late on today’s stage 4 – some 89km from Meximieux to Ordonnaz – Irish champion Patrick Casey was among the many riders forced to a halt by the conditions as he and the others had to take shelter under trees.

The roads became quickly flooded with a mix of rain, hail and the mud washed onto the roads by the conditions. And though the leading riders on the day managed to reach the finish before the worst of the conditions, large numbers of riders even a little further back were forced to stop and then off the road.

Casey (Team GRENKE-Auto Eder), who took a fantastic stage win yesterday, ended today’s stage in a group some 24:50 down on stage winner, an world champion Albert Philipsen (Tscherning Cycling Academy), who has retaken the yellow jersey as a result.

Casey had shot up to 3rd overall after his stage win of yesterday due to losing time today has now slipped to 65th at 25:01. Fellow Irish rider David Gaffney (Team 31 Jolly Cycles), who is impressing this year, was 26th today at 3:48, while Sam Coleman (U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant) was 69th at 10 minutes.