Current and former riders have called on the UCI to make changes to the safety of finish lines following the horrific crash at the end of the Tour of Poland’s stage one on Wednesday.
In the closing metres of the 195km stage to Katowice, Dylan Groenewegen of Jumbo-Visma forced Fabio Jakobsen wide into the barrier, sending the Deceuninck-Quick Step rider over the railings and hitting a race official.
The Dutch sprinter is in a stable condition in hospital but remains in an induced coma. He underwent facial surgery on Wednesday night.
The horror scenes from Poland have ignited a debate in the cycling world about the safety of finishes, with many questioning why the stage finished on a downhill slope.
Every year since the 2010 edition the same finish has been used, always resulting in a high-speed bunch sprint.
One rider angered by its inclusion yet again was Simon Geschke, rider for CCC.
Every year the same silly downhill sprint in the @Tour_de_Pologne.
Every year i ask myself why the organisation thinks it‘s a good idea. Bunch sprints are dangerous enough, you don’t need a downhill finish with 80kph!@cpacycling— Simon Geschke (@simongeschke) August 5, 2020
Many are wanting the CPA – the Professional Cyclists Association – to work on behalf of the riders and improve conditions, with riders questioning the role the body does.
Movistar’s José Joaquín Rojas tweeted: “We only throw our hands to our heads when things like this happen. It is clear that Groenewegen’s action was not clean, but for years I have been watching and competing in this final and it is crazy! It is a sprint finish on a s**t circuit and finish.
“At more than 80km/h it is crazy. Who looks after us? Sometimes, it gives me the feeling that we are just cattle that are taken to the road for a spectacle and for a point. What is our CPA?”
Fabio Sabatini, Cofidis’ Italian sprinter, tweeted that the “Tour of Poland must understand that making an arrival at 85km/h is always suicide. And for years I have thought the same way, but they always want the show.
Replying to his tweet, CCC’s Fran Ventoso said that the reason such sprints are permitted is because “our union that is the CPA allow it. [They have] never done anything for safety. Will they now?”
Alessandro De Marchi, teammate of Ventoso and Geschke, posted on Twitter:
— Alessandro De Marchi (@ADM_RossodiBuja) August 6, 2020
Sean Kelly also called on change.
The UCI really need to take a look at and stop allowing more and more dangerous finishes to races. Having a downhill sprint to the line is especially crazy. Rider safety needs to be made the highest priority.
— Sean Kelly (@SeanKellyCC) August 5, 2020
Robbie McEwen, the former Australian sprinter who won three Tour de France green jerseys, questioned the barriers and asked the UCI to focus on safety improvements.
The move by Groenewegen was one that has been made by sprinters many times. A correct DQ. But the barrier set-up @Tour_de_Pologne was not up to standard, nor are safety standards @UCI_cycling. How about final km safety standards instead of measuring sock height?
— Robbie McEwen AM (@mcewenrobbie) August 6, 2020
