"We now need to see real action" - INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe addresses issue of safety within professional cycling
Cycling
Crashes and safety within the peloton are a hot topic within the peloton at the moment, especially since the mass crash at Itzulia Basque Country. For INEOS Grenadiers chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the time is now to fully address the issue.
"In Formula 1, when Ayrton Senna had his fatal crash 30 years ago in Italy, the governing body set out to transform the safety regulations of one of the world’s most dangerous sports and significantly reduced injuries as a result," begins Ratcliffe in an open letter via the INEOS Grenadiers website. "This contrasts starkly with cycling where, until now, governing bodies have made very few changes and serious accidents are a common occurrence. As recently as last week, we had yet another horrific crash involving three of the world’s top cyclists, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic. Jonas, who has won the last two Tour de France races, suffered multiple broken bones and was hospitalised."
Although INEOS Grenadiers avoided the worst of the Itzulia crash, the team has plenty of past experience with leaders crashing hard. "Even whilst training, top riders are at serious risk, indeed INEOS Grenadiers have had two horrendous accidents in recent years both involving Tour de France winners," Ratcliffe explains. "Chris Froome experienced a compound fracture of his femur on a recon ride and Egan Bernal broke his neck and many other bones on a training ride. Both were lucky to be able to even get back on a bike."
"Cyclists are always going to push things to the limit as they are elite sportsmen and that is why action is so important. In June, the UCI announced the formation of SafeR, a specialist entity to oversee all aspects of cycling safety," Ratcliffe continues. "For the first time, the sport will have a dedicated safety body whose sole concern is to make the sport safer, reducing the risks to riders and spectators whilst losing none of the thrill of racing. This is what Formula 1 has done so well over the past 30 years and I would hope that we will now see the same in cycling."
"I applaud the UCI for taking the issues on board and agreeing to support the establishment of SafeR," he concludes. "We now need to see real action to ensure the safety of the sport."
The accidents are tragic, but Chris Froome crashed going downhill when he took his hands off the bars. Egan crashed in TT position on an open road. Why was there not someone on a motorbike following their star rider with an earpiece to call things out when in the TT position? Look at the past video of Pidcock going downhill on his road bike in CA. Crazy descending speeds; had he crashed RIP. The riders are racing from mile zero these days, on bikes that are technological marvels. Jonas had already reconned that corner and knew the dangers. Primoz sadly seems to crash every year. Remco is not a good bike handler. Both came to the sport very late from ski jumping and soccer, respectively. Look at the video of Jonas trying to ride no hands - it is almost unwatchable. The sport is dangerous, the riders wear only lycra, the road furniture can be a mess, the roads themselves are not perfect, etc. But rider responsibility to ride within their skill limits has to be a major part of the discussion. No one forced Froome to take his hand off the bars, Egan could have been prevented, Pidcock was showing off, Jonas/Remco/Primoz controlled their own speed and could have left a gap to open. And the race organizers could have painted that bump with yellow spray paint to call it out But, Mathieu van der Poel said himself just last week, the most dangerous thing about a bike race is the riders themselves.
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- Did old man Bruyneel make this point before Jonas crashed out?Renz16-03-2025
- Good win for Ayuso. He has appeared a bit inconsistent on mountain stages in the past; absolutely brilliant on some but then cracking on others.Cooldude16-03-2025
- A little caution is understandable. Just ask Roglic.Cooldude16-03-2025
- Jorgenson needs races to improve, he won Paris Nice last year, he should have been given open rein this year. He rode his guts out for Jonas last year, Jonas just needs to build form for the Tour. Give Matteo a race without a co captain.awp16-03-2025
- Exactly. Two leaders of this caliber at the same race makes no sense.Pedalmasher16-03-2025
- Jonas attacking Matteo< who was the GC leader, on the first summit finish was ridiculous! Karma came back and bit JV in the a$$ !frieders316-03-2025
- Pidcocks Ineos Grenadier? Nice proofing lolmij16-03-2025
- Agreed. Why have these two together? Give Jorgenson his own race. They have no one in Italy for GC that’s legit and provenmij16-03-2025
- Agreed. Why have these two together? Give Jorgenson his own race. They have no one in Italy for GC that’s legit and provenmij16-03-2025
- Yes, he’s impressive at the moment but lets see how long he keeps it up first so we know this isn’t his peak whilst those he’s expected to go up against are still building up to theirs.Mistermaumau15-03-2025