Ineos Grenadiers Owner Calls for Action on Road Safety in Cycling

Jonas Vingegaard, the reigning Tour de France champion, is facing a tough road to defend his title after a recent crash left him with broken ribs and a collarbone. The crash, which also involved top cyclists Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic, has sparked concerns about the safety of professional cycling.

Ineos Grenadiers owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called for urgent action to improve road safety in the sport. In a letter to the UCI, Ratcliffe highlighted the recent spate of serious accidents involving top cyclists and urged governing bodies to make significant changes to prevent further injuries.

The UCI has acknowledged the need for improved safety measures and has announced the creation of SafeR, a group dedicated to monitoring all aspects of safety in cycling. While the benefits of SafeR’s work may not be fully realized until the 2024 season, the governing body is committed to preventing future accidents.

The recent crash involving Vingegaard, Evenepoel, and Roglic is just the latest in a series of high-profile accidents in the sport. Ineos has also experienced its share of serious injuries, including life-threatening incidents involving Chris Froome and Egan Bernal.

With the Tour de France fast approaching, Vingegaard faces a race against time to recover from his injuries and defend his title against the likes of Tadej Pogacar. The safety of cyclists is paramount, and Ratcliffe’s call for action is a timely reminder of the risks these elite athletes face every time they compete.

As the cycling world mourns the loss of talented riders in recent years, the need for improved safety measures has never been more urgent. The UCI and other stakeholders must work together to ensure that accidents like the one that befell Vingegaard and his fellow cyclists are not repeated.