UPDATE 2 | INEOS, Lidl-Trek and EF Education reportedly leave Etoile de Besseges after car controversy

The Etoile de Bessèges is a race that has in the past not received the highest reputation over the safety towards the riders, and this may be on the verge of causing a massive problem for itself. On stage 2 a car was on route and although a major accident was avoided, it caused a fall. At the start of stage 3, the exact same situation unfolded.

Stage 2 saw a shocking incident in which a car got on the race route and caused the peloton to slow down suddenly - the swerving caused a fall involving Maxim van Gils, who was forced to abandon the race. It is a very rare yet shocking incident which has already in itself earned lots of criticism to the race organizers.

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However the race continued, but the peloton has stopped stage 3 after the exact same incident happened in a roundabout on the first kilometers of the race. At current time, 13:01CET, DirectVelo reports that "Three representatives from the riders' unions are discussing with the race management. Two of them do not wish to continue". The stage may be cancelled and the race's continuation is also being put into question.

UPDADE

"The climb and descent of the Col des Brousses will be neutralized, this should apply to all laps. But the race organizers have managed to convince the riders to continue the stage, which should resume at kilometer 17 in the village of Gammal".

UPDATE 2 

According to journalist Daniel Benson, at the time being three teams have had their riders return to the team busses: INEOS Grenadiers; Lidl-Trek and EF Education-EasyPost. This may indicate the teams are pulling out of the race, and may serve as leverage for further action from other teams or riders.

Soudal - Quick-Step, Lotto, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe are also reported to be leaving the race.

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Red Bull - BORA fume as Maxim van Gils hospitalised after car drives onto course at Etoile de Besseges: “In this race, there are cars everywhere... It’s dangerous"

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