Javier Romo (Movistar) allegedly grabbed Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) by the neck at the team bus area after stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico on Saturday, following tensions during stage 6.
According to a report from Het Laatste Nieuws, Romo approached Jorgenson near the Visma | Lease a Bike bus following the stage finish. Movistar team manager Max Sciandri intervened physically to separate the two riders before the confrontation escalated further.
As Jorgenson moved to board the bus, he reportedly shouted "Adios" back at the Movistar contingent in what HLN described as a mocking tone.
The specific trigger for the confrontation has not been detailed, though reports indicated it stemmed from an incident during the stage itself. Stage 6 was a 188km GC day featuring the Sassotetto climb, with gradients reaching 22% on the final circuit.
Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) won the stage and extended his lead, while Jorgenson finished third after fading in the closing metres. HLN separately reported that Jorgenson had pressured Del Toro during the stage with the help of teammates including Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike), who was instrumental in forcing splits earlier in the day.
Neither Movistar nor Visma | Lease a Bike had issued a public statement on the alleged incident by Sunday morning. It is unclear whether RCS Sport, the race organiser, or the UCI intend to address the confrontation or whether either rider has filed a complaint. The final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico takes place on Sunday.
Cover image credit: Andrew Smith/SWpix.com
