"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.
Just in
NEW: WorldTour Manager Cyclinguptodate.com (FREE)
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!
Popular news
Latest comments
- Not sure that’s the whole story otherwise babies would be a lit more susceptible to nose bacteria too. Obviously cyclist breathe far more than average humans which should help keep things cleaner, on the other hand if you don’t clean your nose well or use an infected finger … and then why bacteria and not viruses? I would prepare mentally for more testing if this doesn’t solve things. Teeth and gums are the most overlooked entry point for infectious agents. Ears and eyes can also be easily contaminated.Mistermaumau17-03-2025
- Yeah, sorry, some people forget a few facts like him being in a similar age category as Tadej, Jonas, Remco, Tom and that there are plenty of promising younger riders developing too so it’s really quite far-fetched based on current givens.Mistermaumau17-03-2025
- If they learnt from 2024 MVDP/JP strategy, yes, possibleMistermaumau17-03-2025
- Name another race with 20 different winners in the last 30 years. This is probably the single most influential fact that points towards Tadej, or will it be Mads, or a « newcomer »?Mistermaumau17-03-2025
- Nobody asked you and you have very little future prediction precedent. 20 years ago no-one predicted Slovenian cycling domination, Tadej, Trump, Manchester United replaced by City, the recent serial UK Tory leadership or the drastic demise of German Olympic performance. Unfortunately JJ probably won’t be around much longer so can’t be held « accountable » if wrong.Mistermaumau17-03-2025
- Also, note how fast a counter article appeared, either naturally or as part of a comm. strategyMistermaumau17-03-2025
- Not sure, remember where he is saying it and what this person did for him. Perhaps he was coaxed into saying something to stimulate US interest or provocative to improve you know who’s media significance.Mistermaumau17-03-2025
- Quite annoying to get all these silly partial arguments to predict results. If betting companies calculated odds this way, none would survive. If you look at MSR Tadej’s record isn’t great, 4 attempts without a win, he still needs to prove he has what it takes to win in the exact conditions that race provides. MVDP has and has shown he can counter Pog here. I think MVDP hasn’t done an early season stage race since 2021 and much has changed for both since, wouldn’t draw ANY conclusions except to say they both have good chances and everyone else don’t. But then again, it’s racing, anything can happen as time shows time and time again.Mistermaumau17-03-2025
- Crazy
leedorney17-03-2025 - Milano-Sanremo= 5 bored hours (warming up legs) + the most exciting/electrifying/thrilling half hour of the whole cycling year. Good luck Tadej! it's not easy at all, but you can!
maria2024202417-03-2025