Brammeier (really) got up Astana’s nose by taking on Nibali on Twitter

Matt Brammeier has been involved in the expansion of the CPA riders’ union, helping lead a new British-Irish delegation. The CPA helped implement the UCI’s extreme weather protocol, which is designed to protect riders in the case of dangerous riding conditions. So when Nibali voiced his disapproval for the cancelled stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, Brammeier hit back.

 

Matt Brammeier is never one to mince his words and the four-time Irish national road race champion maintained his straight-talking approach to multiple Grand Tour winner Vincenzo Nibali this week.

Following the cancellation of the fifth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico – a mountainous one that would have suited Astana’s Nibali - the Sicilian was quoted as saying he would perhaps reconsider his plan to ride the Giro, if stages were likely to be cancelled again.

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Nibali said Tirreno had been “falsified” by the cancellation of the stage, adding that BMC's Greg Van Avermaet won a race the team might not have, had the stage gone ahead.

He vehemently  believed the stage should have went ahead and that the UCI were wrong to implement the extreme weather protocol.

Brammeier - along with many others like World Champion Peter Sagan - clearly felt it was the correct call to have the stage abandoned 24 hours prior to it starting, was more than a little upset with Nibali and tweeted:

“Better you stay home & skip the whole season you narrow minded, selfish moron,” in reference to the suggestion Nibali would skip the Giro in favour of the Tour because of the cancelled stage.

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Tony Martin of Etixx-Quick Step then came out in support of Brammeier as he tweeted in response: “Matt, you’re a legend! I couldn’t say it better!”

According to a report on Gazzetta.it, the legal team of the Sicilian rider are considering what steps to take against Brammeier and Martin.

However, given Brammeier later sent a (sort of) apology, the case is likely to go cold.

“I have nothing against Nibali, I am just frustrated with statements that object to protocols that are trying to help move cycling forward”, read the follow-up tweet.

 

 

 

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