The 16th Giro d'Italia stage on Tuesday was shortnened after riders agreed they didn't want to cross the Umbrail pass due to wintery weather.
The riders union CPA said that attempting the pass in cold temperatures and a 95% chance of snowfall poses a "significant health risk, especially in the descent" and is not in line with extreme weather regulations of the ruling body UCI.
Organizers had first suggested a three-minute break at the top of the 2,498 metres Umbrail pass to allow riders changing into dry clothes, which was dismissed by the CPA.
It was eventually agreed that the stage would start as planned in Livigno but that riders would get into cars before the Munt-Raschera tunnel and driven to the foot of the Stelvio pass where the proper start would take place.
The stage is to finish as planned atop Monte Pana but will be much shorter than the original 206 kilometres.
The Umbrail pass was only added to the stage last week, in place of the 2,758m Stelvio which was scrapped after an avalanche warning.
Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia is the runaway leader of the Giro which ends on Sunday.