After a handful of complaints last week about riders benefiting from drafting behind motorbikes in races, breakaway riders at the Volta ao Algarve weren’t too pleased to hear that the peloton had been able to ride close behind camera bikes on stage four of the Portuguese race.
Ryan Mullen (Cannondale-Drapac), Taco van der Hoorn (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij), and Dion Smith (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) put in an excellent effort on the penultimate stage of the race to hold off the peloton until just two kilometres to go.
Spent almost 200k up the road today with my cake shop companion @DionSmithy
Got caught with 1.5k to go. We gave it a good nudge hey mate?— Ryan Mullen (@ryanmullen9) February 18, 2017
Initially all three riders initially said how pleased they were with their day in the break, but that quickly turned to frustration after Mullen had apparently chatted with team-mate Sep Vanmarcke.
❗️ @ryanmullen9 was caught at 1,5km from the finish, after the peloton was chasing camera motors for 50km! #notfair! https://t.co/BrKiR4orlC
— Sep Vanmarcke (@sepvanmarcke) February 18, 2017
The Belgian had been in the pursuing peloton, and said that the chasers had benefited from the draft of camera motorbikes riding in front of the main pack.
Kind of sucks to hear the peleton had the draft of the motorbikes in the final today. Don't mind being caught when it's fair and square….
— Ryan Mullen (@ryanmullen9) February 18, 2017
According to new regulations introduced by the UCI just two weeks ago camera motorbikes should film “from 3/4 in front of the riders [i.e. not directly in front of the riders] and not remain permanently in front of the peloton”.
The motorbike driver was sanctioned under the rules, and was not allowed in the race for the final stage.
