Cycling: On September 30th, the World Cycling Union (UCI) is inviting spokespersons from riders, teams, race organizers and stewards to a working group in Milan to discuss ways to improve rider safety. In addition, there will already be some special rules for the Road World Championships in Doha – among other things, special motorcycles will be used.
It's a topic that has (unfortunately) been with us for several years - the constant increase in accidents in the peloton, be it caused by motorcycles, escort vehicles, unnecessarily dangerous route planning or a lack of protection is causing more and more resentment and has already resulted in numerous serious injuries . After some tentative improvements in terms of driver safety this season, things finally seem to be moving a bit more. As the UCI announced in a statement in the evening, everyone involved will finally sit down on September 30th to discuss the future.
[blog style=”def” cols=”2″ display=”specific” specific=”45506″ posts_per_page=”0″ offset=”0″ pagination=”no” ad_id=”0″ ad_count=”3″ ad_repeat=”yes”]In the working group, proposals are to be worked out, which deal with a possible limitation of the team vehicles and a safe route. The issue of securing obstacles will also be back on the agenda after Steven Kruijswijk fell badly at the Vuelta due to an unsecured boundary post. The aim is to have a catalog of measures drawn up by the start of the 2017 season, which can then come into effect immediately. "We know there is still work to be done in this area and I look forward to [...] creating the best conditions for the riders," UCI President Brian Cookson said in the statement.
Some special rules already apply to the Road World Championships in Doha in mid-October to ensure greater safety. Any traffic islands in the last 1,5km of the route are removed and the road barriers are also adjusted so that the drivers always have enough space. Likewise, instead of the usual motorcycles, lighter off-road machines will be used, which can react more quickly to potentially dangerous situations.