INEOS Group chairman Jim Ratcliffe urges UCI to take “real action” on rider safety

INEOS Grenadiers owner and INEOS Group chairman Jim Ratcliffe has called on cycling’s governing body to take decisive action to address the growing concerns surrounding rider safety in the sport.

In a letter to the UCI following a serious crash at the Tour of the Basque Country involving top riders like Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primoz Roglic, Ratcliffe emphasized the need for immediate action to protect the athletes.

The crash resulted in Vingegaard sustaining broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, and a collapsed lung, while Evenepoel suffered injuries to his right collarbone and scapula. Roglic managed to avoid fractures but had to withdraw from the upcoming Ardennes Classics due to a knee injury and other bruising.

Ratcliffe drew parallels to Formula One, a sport in which INEOS is involved with the Mercedes team, highlighting the significant safety improvements made in the wake of Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash 30 years ago.

The billionaire expressed his concerns about the lack of substantial changes in cycling safety regulations and stressed the need for the UCI to prioritize the well-being of riders.

With previous incidents involving INEOS team members Chris Froome and Egan Bernal, Ratcliffe has been a vocal advocate for improved safety measures in the sport.

While the UCI recently announced the establishment of SafeR, a body dedicated to rider safety, Ratcliffe urged for concrete actions to be taken to ensure the safety of cyclists on the road.

As the cycling community grapples with the aftermath of these recent accidents, Ratcliffe’s call for real action serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing rider safety in professional cycling.