“What is 500 euros if you can prevent deaths with it?” – Stefan Kung offers an interesting solution to cycling’s safety concerns
Cycling
Groupama-FDJ’s Stefan Kung has brought renewed attention to
the ongoing conversation about safety in professional cycling, particularly
during the Flanders Classics. The Swiss rider, who won his first grand tour
stage this year at the Vuelta, shared his thoughts with Sporza, proposing
potential solutions to mitigate the risks that riders face.
Kung drew an interesting parallel to another high-risk
sport, skiing, to highlight the need for innovation. “At one point, the
international ski federation FIS wanted to require all skiers to wear an airbag
in competitions. But I read that many skiers then requested an exemption
because they were concerned about the functioning of the system. They feared
that they could injure their neck when the airbag inflates,” Küng explained.
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Despite the initial resistance in skiing, Kung believes such
a concept could have potential in cycling if implemented correctly. “If an
airbag really works and becomes mandatory in the race, it could be a solution,”
he suggested. “It will cost money. But what is 500 euros if you can prevent
serious injuries or even deaths with it?”
The Swiss rider also pointed to the persistent dangers on
some of the sport's most iconic routes, including the approach to the Oude
Kwaremont, a decisive climb in races like the Tour of Flanders. Kung expressed
concern about the high speeds and narrow margins for error on this section.
“But the approach to the Oude Kwaremont is actually exactly
the same,” Küng observed. “At 80 to 90 km/h we fly over a fast and wide road,
on a descent. If two riders were to touch each other with their wheels there,
thirty riders would fall to the ground with the impact. The same goes for the
descent towards Ronse.”
This high-speed descent, combined with the competitive
jostling for position, has long been a cause of concern among riders. While
some improvements have been made, such as the removal of the dangerous Kanarieberg
from the Dwars door Vlaanderen route, Küng suggests more changes are needed to
ensure safety.
Küng believes that finding alternative routes could be one
solution, though he acknowledges the logistical challenges posed by the
geography of the Flemish Ardennes. “We have to ask ourselves if there are other
possible routes,” he stated. “But the climbs in the Flemish Ardennes are very
close together, so there are not many alternatives. It is a difficult topic.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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