A near tragedy this morning in Rivanonte Agordino, in the Belluno area, during the 29th edition of the Sportful Dolomiti Race, almost 4 thousand cyclists at the start, one of the toughest long distance races in Europe.

An elderly woman resident in the area, aboard a small car, a Peugeot, went in the opposite direction to that of the race, literally forcing the stop imposed by the race direction which also tried to chase her, and in a semi-curve she hit three runners transported to the Agordo hospital in the Belluno area with various fractures.

Fortunately, none of the three, a 46-year-old from Lucca, a 34-year-old from Rovereto and a 49-year-old from Ireland, are in danger of their lives. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene and the injured cyclists were taken to the nearest hospital, Papa Luciani in Agordo.

"I had to go to mass and I was late" the woman reportedly told the police who arrived after the accident. «The lady was stopped more than once but she didn't want to hear about it, the volunteers present tried in every way to stop her, but despite everything she continued - say the organizers -. Faced with certain behaviors we are helpless and very angry. We wonder if the old woman really realizes what she has done and what consequences her behavior has caused. The motivation? He said he was late for mass."

«We have been working on this event for a year - they continue - we have had many conversations with the police, with the administrations of the area. And we found a lot of interest and availability from everyone. This year we also returned to the old route by re-proposing the Belluno Dolomites as a tribute to the next Olympic Games in Cortina." It should have been a beautiful day of celebration, «unfortunately this accident - they continue - overshadows it. We are also convinced that, all things considered, it went well because the consequences could have been much more serious."

(Unioneonline/D)