Safety Concerns in Professional Cycling: Calls for UCI Responsibility and Action

The world of professional cycling is currently in turmoil as the recent spate of high-speed crashes has left top riders injured and hospitalized. The president of the French professional cyclists’ union, Pascal Chanteur, has called on the UCI, the world governing body, to take responsibility for making the sport a safer place.

Chanteur expressed his anger over the recent incidents, stating, “Do we have to wait for the umpteenth death? For a rider to have both legs cut off and lose his life, so that people become aware? If that’s the idea, we’re not far off.” His comments come in the wake of Wout van Aert’s collarbone and rib injuries in a mass fall during the Around Flanders race, followed by further crashes in the Tour of the Basque Country that saw riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel hospitalized.

Chanteur highlighted the need for the UCI to implement safety measures, such as reducing speeds by changing tires and addressing the use of disc brakes and gear ratios. He also pointed out the role of “street furniture” and advanced bike materials in causing crashes.

UCI president David Lappartient acknowledged the need for a discussion on disc brakes and emphasized the riders’ responsibility in preventing accidents. He mentioned the introduction of yellow and red cards to penalize dangerous attitudes on the road.

Chanteur’s concerns reflect the frustration within the peloton over the increasing risks in professional cycling. As the debate on safety measures continues, the cycling community looks to the UCI and manufacturers to prioritize the well-being of riders and prevent further tragedies on the road.