Following the numerous (and serious) falls occurred at the start of the season, Colin Bourgeat gave the floor to the runners. If you missed it, discover in the first part why these falls are more and more frequent according to runners.
To fully understand their point of view, We invite you to watch the full video.
A solution is needed
Faced with this alarming observation, the runners mentioned several proposals to remedy the situation. While some are debated, such as limiting caffeine or equipment, the introduction of warnings and cards which could lead to suspensions received broad consensus. Cameras are already installed on bikes for TV. Others will have to be for this measure to be effective. For Maël Guégan, it’s even inevitable : “To sanction you will have to have proof. And everything that happens within the peloton, no one sees it except the runners. So yeah we should put cameras on the bikes”. This measure, considered fast and efficient, could even be implemented as early as August 1st.
Other measures that are debated
in parallel, we raise the idea of introducing more protections, like the halo in Formula 1. Falls remain inevitable, but it is possible to mitigate their consequences. “An airbag already exists for everyone. Wouldn’t there be something to develop by integrating them into the jerseys? ? […] That they develop a system with priority on the vertebrae parts, cervical, at hip level. Something that is set up and common to everyone. So that serious falls are absorbed a little by these systems, although it won't remove the base ; the earbuds that hurt a little. We always leave aside the integrity of the runners” suggests Geoffrey Soupe.
For other runners, the hardware also needs to be redesigned. Limit gears, developments or even imposing common tires on the entire peloton were mentioned by Maël Guégan, Hugo Hofstetter or Guillaume Martin but for many, this option is not possible. Julien Bernard explains : "Equipment […] it seems to me, from my point of view, quite complicated to limit, we must also not forget that they are our sponsors, factories, it's full of people working. […] The formula 1, the difference, it’s because you don’t sell them. You don't have a Formula 1 in shops. So it’s sure that it’s not the same thing as cycling.. […] People can buy the same as us, that’s why the whole hardware part, development, …it seems quite hard to limit it”.
Facing the arguments against caffeine, pointed out by certain runners, Kévin Vauquelin specifies : “Caffeine, I think we shouldn’t put everything on that. In scientific evidence, it's just that you are less tired, it's not that you're going crazy either. […] Exaggerated doses don't even normally have any effect anymore than if you took 200mg. I think it is also scientifically studied”.
In addition, removal of earbuds, or establish a single radio channel, controlled by the race organization, could be a way to limit distractions and falls during tests. “Beyond the runners, the pressure to run together also comes from the earbuds. Deleting them might be a good thing.. Getting back to basics, study the course a little better and try to do things differently” says Geoffrey Soupe.
The UCI must take its responsibilities
All the runners launched an urgent appeal to the International Cycling Union (FIA) so that it takes concrete measures to guarantee the safety of competitors on the roads. “I still find it deplorable to wait for the main leaders to come out to launch the debate. I have the impression that our authorities are doing nothing at all. […] It’s like driving around in your car in t-shirt shorts.. We open the door and jump, it's the same thing” underlines Rudy Molard.
Through their testimonies, all insist on the need to act quickly and take several measures to reverse the current trend and preserve the physical integrity of athletes. The UCI now has all the cards in hand, case to be continued…
