Australian team boss Matt White is unimpressed with the rider agitation that nearly led to stage three of the Tour Down Under being shortened.
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The Mitchelton-Scott team director was in the middle of negotiations that went on until only a few minutes before Thursday morning's start at the Adelaide Hills town of Lobethal.
Some riders wanted the stage shortened because of the heat wave that has marked the opening three stages.
But eventually, the 146.2km stage to Uraidla went ahead as planned.
White, the team directors' delegate, and riders' delegate Adam Hansen were in discussion with race director Mike Turtur and other officials ahead of the 11am start.
Initially, White and Hansen reported that the stage would be shortened by one of the seven 14km circuits at the finish.
But then as the stage started, race radio announced that team bosses had decided there would be no change.
As White and Hansen initially told teams of the decision to cut the stage short, there was some disquiet and a poll was taken of the team directors just before the start.
They apparently voted by a narrow margin to make no change.
White had no problem with Hansen raising the issue on behalf of riders, but questioned how many cyclists wanted a shorter stage.
"To please everyone, we asked all the teams their opinion and I told the sport directors that the majority wins," he said.
"Adam Hansen is getting a minority of whingeing riders in his face - he has a very difficult job.
"The majority of teams wanted to keep it the same. It was close."
White said he found the attitude of some riders at the Tour amusing.
"Come prepared for this race," he said.
'"There are no surprises. It's hot."
Australian Associated Press