"I think hopefully it was heard" - Ben Healy was one of the drivers behind rider protest as he stresses rider power in safety calls
Cycling
Ben Healy hopes that the most important event of his day at Il Lombardia won't be his 12th place finish. The Irishman has spoken about his role in the organisation of a rider protest at the beginning of the race as they called for more safety measured to be put in place by the UCI and race organisers.
Following a number of events in recent weeks and months, that included vehicles entering the course at both Coppa Bernocchi and Tre Valli Varesine this past week. These events come after the tragic passing of Finlay Tarling at the Volta ao Portugal in August after being struck by a car that entered the course.
For Healy, the protest's message is simple, the sport's governing body should better enforce safety standards within races. He revealed that all teams were behind the show of solidarity as he stressed the power riders have to take a stand on the issue.
“With what’s happened this week and this summer, especially, I think there’s a consensus in the peloton that not enough is being done by particularly the UCI,” Healy said after the race.
Healy highlights riders' solidarity on safety
“I think this is just us standing together to show we’re not happy. We didn’t want to affect the race today at all or upset the organisers, but we just wanted to show the power that we have as riders and the voice that we have. Every single team on the start line today all voted to do that this morning, so it’s a particularly strong feeling. I think hopefully it was heard.”
Domestique reports that the protest was organised on WhatsApp in the days before the race and that a representative of each team were in on it. Their goal was to keep the message simple and straight to the point.
“I don’t want to say it was just me and someone else, because all I did was rally the troops, so to say, because this isn’t just coming from me: this is coming from everyone in this peloton today and everyone in the WorldTour peloton in general.
“I think it’s such a big issue, you know. It’s our safety at the end of the day. And not one person had anything negative to say. It’s a pretty simple, clear message. And I think it’s one that everyone could get behind.”
Read also
Riders organised the protest
The CPA, the riders' union, shared a statement shared by many riders as the protest took place. However, the riders instigated the protest and it's reported that the union weren't involved.
The Irishman knows that he and his riders' voices should be heard. While admitting that he himself doesn't have the answers, but believes a conversation needs to begin immediately.
“No, this came completely from the riders. We just wanted to make it as simple as possible. It’s not a complicated message, like I said, and all the riders stood together to say that today.
“Personally, I don’t have all the answers, that’s for sure. But I just hope this starts the conversation rolling with the UCI and there needs to be some sort of standard, centralised standard across all these races of how safety is put into place. Hopefully we can just get that ball rolling.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Can we get a comment from the UCI on this. The silence from Aigle is deafening! Come on cycling journalists , start annoying them to get a comment please.Paul53111-10-2026
- A shame to see him retire, I really liked him as a rider. His dignified tribute along with Matej Mohorovic to Gino Mader after his death was class and will always live in my memory. Enjoy your retirement.GregT11-10-2026
- A shame to see him retire, I really liked him as a rider. His dignified tribute along with Matej Mohorovic to Gino Mader after his death was class and will always live in my memory. Enjoy your retirement.GregT11-10-2026
- I thought Seixas had hit the end of the road from a fatigue standpoint, after the WC meltdown - and he still finished ok. This was impressive and an amazing return.mij11-10-2026
- totally, eating crow for breakfast this morning. after the world championships I thought we were looking at a late season fade from fatigue. way to go Paul!mij11-10-2026
- Well if UAE the best team in history comes knocking their the only team in the world who can get Seixas. Seixas will become unbeatable and incredible there. Lets see if he stays at decathlon or goes to UAE.miguel11-10-2026
- Pogi would have won the Vuelta at around 10 min. But it would have been boring for fools like you. Capish?PogiSloFans11-10-2026
- Rather than me describing the technology at length on here, If you google. Line-scan cameras. They are also sometimes called Slit-Scan cameras. Either search will fill you in. You can read all about how they. work. Enjoy! Just to be clear the cyclist is saying he wants to see exactly where the digital finish line is in relation to the actual physical finish. At this point we only have the word of the authority that the digital line corresponds to the exact starting edge of the physical finish line. That seems like a reasonable request to me.Prorodsandstuff11-10-2026
- 100% @Jumpyjohn, good point well raised.anonymouscyclist11-10-2026
- The media keep stirring the soup.. or spitting in it
leedorney11-10-2026
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