"We have to be on the same page" - Jorgenson highlights need for unity after riders protest amid cycling safety concerns
Cycling
Matteo Jorgenson believes that rider's need to embrace working together to make a stand on issues of safety in the sport. Following a rider protest at the beginning of il Lombardia this month, rider's appear to be on the same page in calling for organisers and the UCI to better implement protocols.
While accustomed to fighting for positions and attacking each-other on crucial climbs in races, the American Visma rider believes that, off the bike, riders should be encouraged to speak out as safety is a shared concern amongst the bunch.
On the Il Lombardia protest, Jorgenson attributes a major part of its fruition to EF Education-EasyPost rider Ben Healy, revealing that the Irishman was behind the planning of the riders' statement-making stand in Italy.
"We need to practice what it's like to work together. We have to be on the same page. You're not going to be laughed out of the room if you suggest that we do something together for once for our safety," Jorgenson told TNT Sports.
Matteo Jorgenson
Jorgenson praises Ben Healy
"I have to give props to Ben Healy for this. It really seemed like he was the one who organised it and set up a group chat with one member of each team in Lombardia for that race, and he came up with the idea himself of having this five-minute protest."
The goal of the protest wasn't to step on the toes of race organisers RCS, who appeared to facilitate the protest. Noting that incidents flagged as reasons for the protest hadn't taken place at events organised by RCS.
"It was very well thought out. We don't want to disrupt the race because these last races in Italy where these incidents happened weren't RCS races.
"So RCS obviously puts on Lombardia, and they didn't have anything to do with it, but we as riders need to practice this."
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Healy hopes protest was heard
Healy himself spoke out on the protest and hopes that the UCI and organisers will take note on the riders' view. The former Tour yellow jersey wearer underlined the power riders possess to take a stand.
“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 protest.
“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.”
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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