SafeR looks for new director after dismissal of Jaap van Hulten: "We had the feeling that he was not the ideal person for this position"

After the recent increase of rate of hard crashes which took out numerous big guns of the professional peloton, safety in the peloton has become an even more important topic for all cycling stakeholders. To accelerate the pace of improving safety, action was recently taken at a board meeting in the organization of SafeR, where current director Jaap van Hulten was dismissed.

It was suggested from various quarters that this was a political decision related to Van Hulten's past with Jumbo-Visma. "I would like to categorically refute that," Team Jayco AlUla manager Brent Copeland emphasizes in an interview with WielerFlits.

"UCI, teams, riders, the media and the public, they will all soon point to SafeR," Copeland continues. "Our director must be able to delegate well, command respect from all parties and will have to answer difficult and complex questions. So be very strong in communication. We had the feeling that Jaap van Hulten was not the ideal person for such an important and delicate position."

"We now have to get SafeR's structure right from the start. Very tough decisions will have to be made and clear protocols will have to be made. All parties understand that the director of SafeR will play a very important role in cycling. He must know the sport well, be able to delegate and have a strong personality. We are confident that we will find the right person."

Copeland also emphasizes that this must be a neutral person who cannot be tied to an organization and/or team. Especially because the idea is that SafeR will work with a yellow and red card system for riders. Riders who clearly endanger the safety of themselves and/or others will be fined.

"I am optimistic that there is a very good working group of professionals in the supervisory board and the committee that will optimally manage the organization to improve the safety of the riders. That is our main priority. We must realize that changes will not happen overnight. What is important is that we now start moving things in the right direction without wasting any more time."