Visma | Lease a Bike team manager Richard Plugge has expressed his dissatisfaction on social media about the safety measurements of the organization of the Critérium du Dauphiné after a massive crash saw the fifth stage neutralized with many riders badly wounded.
"Would this happen in F1? Or would the safety organisation take measures upfront?" Plugge says critically upon seeing the video showing half the peloton falling.
This statement is surprising and in contrary with what other involved team managers said. Patrick Lefevere (Soudal - Quick-Step) and Rolf Aldag (BORA - hansgrohe) noted that a fall like this is difficult to prevent and that according to them, no one was to blame.
Plugge did see two of his riders, Steven Kruijswijk and Dylan van Baarle, among the major victims. Both Dutchmen had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance and 2024 Tour de France isn't on their schedule for the rest of this year anymore.