Mauro Veni, director of the Giro d'Italia, said he hopes to take some action against Jumbo Visma and EF Pro Cycling for their actions during the race.

The Dutch team withdrew from the race on the first rest day after Steven Kruijswijk tested positive for COVID-19, and EF wrote a letter to organizers RCS Sport and the UCI requesting that the race be cancelled on the second rest day, so the Italian teams and sought "sanctions" against them.

During the race, Veni defended the race's anti-COVID-19 bubble after the EF called it "clearly dangerous" after 11 people from four teams tested positive, including Kru Isaac, Simon Yates, and Michael Matthews.

EF called for additional testing for COVID-19 and additional measures to reinforce the bubble, both of which were carried out by the UCI and RCS Sport a few hours later. Meanwhile, Jumbo Visma withdrew from the race on the morning of stage 10, citing protection of its riders and staff.

Vegni approved Mitchelton Scott's decision to withdraw from the race after five positive tests, including Yates', but hinted at "incorrect actions" by teams in the bubble following the EF letter.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport published Tuesday after the Giro ended in Milan, Veni said he wanted "sanctions" against both Jumbo-Visma and EF.

"I said there would be a second part of the Giro. 'I'm thinking specifically about the UCI. I'm thinking about the UCI in particular. I'm going to ask those responsible what they intend to do. It doesn't end here

"I want to sanction Jumbo-Visma and the EF. If anyone thinks they can infringe on the rights and obligations of a WorldTour team, I consider them 'free' from the obligation to invite them as well. What happened is also a matter for the UCI Licensing Committee."

Since both EF Pro Cycling and Jumbo-Visma hold World Tour licenses valid from 2020 to 2022, it is unclear which of the four licensing criteria-ethical, financial, administrative, or organizational-fall under UCI Rule 2.1.5.032 allows the Licensing Committee to reduce the validity of a license if the licensee violates any of the four criteria.

The UCI's Professional Cycling Council may also suspend a team's license "if it considers it necessary to protect the image of the World Tour". To date, neither action has been taken against a WorldTour team.

Veni also called for the formation of a new riders' union following the events of stage 19 in Morbegno.

"We need a different mentality and a different union," Veni suggested.

"The riders need a union that will help them and not just fight to the end. Riders are intelligent people and we need to change the mindset of unions and modernize them to look at the real interests of the riders. The fight should not be fought in the streets, but in the meeting rooms."

"Sending a rider representative to his last race (Adam Hansen in Lot Soudal) says it all. Maria Rosa Kelderman, who supported the protest on television, later apologized to me in Sestriere."

On the day of the stage, Vegni threatened the union and its representatives that if there was no proof that a vote had been taken to shorten the stage, "someone would pay." In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, he did not mention any proposed legal action.

Meanwhile, the CPA issued an open letter on Monday detailing the reasons for the shortened 19th stage, while calling for growth in rider safety.

"Every (race) is valuable to us and to the entire movement to which we are most exposed, for better or worse. Even if you say something we don't like, we deserve to be heard," the letter concluded.

Veni said he was proud that the Giro d'Italia finished in Milan despite the COVID-19 epidemic and tensions during the race.

"Probably someone thought we wouldn't make it, but we did.

"The Giro sent a message of pride for the whole of Italy. It is a success for the country and proof that it is possible to live with the virus."

"I have to thank all the staff who worked so hard, it's been a great experience. This year feels like the 10th time and without a doubt the most difficult race ever. There were a lot of worries and a lot of things to solve, but we always wanted to keep going and reach Milan."