UCI to update safety rules following collisions involving race motos

Following a number of crashes involving cyclists and race motos in recent months, the UCI has said that it is currently finalising an updated set of road racing safety regulations. The new rules will limit the number of vehicles allowed and also address how these vehicles should be positioned at different points in the race.

Lotto-Soudal’s Stig Broeckx was left in a coma after an incident involving two race motos during the Tour of Belgium at the weekend. In a statement, the UCI said it was investigating the circumstances of the crash to see whether recently introduced rules relating to ‘circulation during the race’ were being followed by the motorcyclists involved.

The governing body also said that the need for safe driving, particularly when overtaking riders, has been given extra emphasis by commissaires during pre-race briefings of late. “These rules are backed by sanctions which will be applied by the UCI Disciplinary Commission if any driver is found to be acting negligently.”

As well as addressing the number of vehicles allowed and their positioning during races, the UCI said that the size and power of motorcycles was another issue it was considering. The statement also states: “In order to ensure the right level of understanding and compliance with these new rules and guidelines, the UCI is significantly increasing the human resources being deployed at races as part of an improved event monitoring process.”

UCI President Brian Cookson said:

“Safety is an absolutely vital issue for the UCI and our stakeholders, and it is crucial we do all in our power to protect the riders from unnecessary risks. We have seen too many incidents involving motorcycles, and that is why we recently adopted clear new rules governing how vehicles must be driven in races. Right now, our thoughts are with Stig Broeckx, his family, friends and teammates from Lotto Soudal.”

After sitting out the final stage of the Tour of Belgium, Lotto-Soudal manager Marc Sergeant said that the team had decided to return to racing.

“The past days have been a rollercoaster of emotions for all of us. It is very difficult to cope with the helpless feeling we all have. I have experienced that staying home doesn’t help to cope with the uncertainty and restlessness. After deliberation, with amongst other the team’s mental coach Nathan Kahan and a trauma psychologist, we decided to race the next days.

“Not as much to set a result, but as a team, together, for each other and for Stig. We can best support each other and give each other strength, show resilience and fight, by coming together and talking to each other, with riders and staff. Hope connects us now. Or like Stig’s girlfriend put it: ‘Despite everything I keep thinking in the most positive way, that’s something he really taught me after all those years together.’”