Shimano concludes investigation in to Flanders service car incidents

Shimano conducted an internal investigation into the accidents involving their neutral service cars and Jesse Sergent and Sebastian Chavanel

By Stuart Clarke
published

Having gathered reports from all parties involved, Shimano has concluded its investigation into the incidents involving two of its service cars at the Tour of Flanders.

Trek Factory Racing's Jesse Sergent suffered a broken collarbone after colliding with a Shimano car in the breakaway, while another service vehicle crashed into the back of an FDJ team car, subsequently knocking Sebastian Chavanel off his bike.

The investigation set out the chain of events leading to the Sergent incident, with Shimano stating that all vehicles were instructed to get in front of the breakaway due to the proximity of the chasing bunch.

With the narrow Belgian roads, the cars found it difficult to pass the break, leading to "the highly qualified driver [choosing] to progress at the wrong moment."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsexjF6Iaz0

>>> Teams left angry after Tour of Flanders neutral service car incidents

Shimano say the driver, reportedly a police officer, has 14 years of experience in the pro peloton, covering World Championships, Olympics and Belgian Classics.

In a separate incident, Shimano describes the 'low-speed collision' with an FDJ team car.

Shimano says its apologies to both Trek Factory Racing and FDJ have been accepted.

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Stuart Clarke

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters. 

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