‘This needs to be a turning point’: Calls for safety measures in pro cycling following second mass crash

It has been confirmed that Flemish cyclist Remco Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick Step has broken his right collarbone and shoulder blade following the serious multi-cyclist crash on Wednesday during the Tour of the Basque Country. Several other international pro cyclists are in hospital following the mass crash, including with spinal chord injuries.

The event followed an equally disastrous crash just last week during the Dwars door Vlaanderen, where top Flemish cyclist Wout van Aert of Team Visma/Lease a Bike also broke a collarbone and several ribs. He had to miss the all-important Tour of Flanders, which took place on Easter Sunday. Van Aert was a favourite in the Tour, which was ultimately won by Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel.

Both Evenepoel and Van Aert are expected to be out of competition for the entire spring. “This can and must serve as a turning point,” said VRT sports anchor Maarten Vangramberen. “Pro cycling continues to devour its children, with every race.”

Vangramberen said that logistical changes could prevent mass crashes like this from having such serious consequences. “In Basque Country, there is a ditch with boulders following an extremely fast descent on a curve with no padding or mattresses as buffer. That is a very big mistake.”

He also points to technology that exists but that is not being used. “There is gear with airbags built in, which is being used in horseback riding, skiing and motorsports. Why is that not required for cycling? It’s like helmets were seen in the past – and now we can’t imagine them riding without helmets. If the gear is there, use it.”

Vangramberen also argues against the attitude that mass crashes are just part of the game. “That is ridiculous. Are we really going to hold ourselves to that argument? What reasonable parent is going to now put their kid on a racing bike? It’s 2024, and cyclists still have to slam into boulders at 80 kilometres an hour wearing basically a swimsuit.”

Radio 2’s Renaat Schotte echoed Vangramberen’s anger at the current situation. “I have this queasy Formula 1 from 20 years ago feeling about it,” he said. Cyclists are having accidents by following these rules. It’s clear that something has to change. If safety measures aren’t going to improve, then pro cyclists need to change their mentality. They need to ask themselves why they are doing this. It’s sport. I even dare to say, ‘its just sport’. It’s should not be a matter of life and death.”