More safety measures for 2021 and very much needed ( info of Sporza TV and VRT Belgium)
Rear gates, motorcycles, disc brakes, … are discussed
The new measures came about after a collaboration between the UCI and a working group that included Patrick Lefevere, Tour boss Christian Prudhomme, Philippe Gilbert, Matteo Trentin, and Jumbo-Visma manager Richard Plugge, during which a whole list of measures was drawn up. that should make the coming season safer. This was necessary after a season with numerous accidents. The PCC (Professional Cycling Council) also approved “Most of these measures will come into effect for professional cycling for men and women, with an initial focus on UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour events, from early 2021”, it sounds in a communication from the UCI.
Part of the safety measures is, among other things, safety at finish areas during mass sprints (just think of the fall of Jakobsen in Poland) by setting standard norms for the Nadar gates.
Also, measures regarding the behavior of drivers (including motorcyclists), equipment such as disc brakes, and communication with riders when, among other things, neutralizing races are discussed.
New safety measurements for 2021
1-Appointing a “Safety Manager” within the sporting department of the UCI. The Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing safety at events on the UCI calendar.
2-Cycling races are required to appoint and train a Safety Manager. The exact tasks of that Safety Manager will be announced by the UCI, together with a quality control based on experience and training.
3-Set up a database, with the help of an external service provider, in which incidents and accidents – during important WorldTour races – of the last 5 years are kept This should lead to more effective actions.
4-Set up a tool, also with the help of an external service provider and with the help of new technologies, which can perform a risk analysis on a course a few weeks before a race. This gives the opportunity to both the UCI and the organizers to intervene where necessary.
5-Review of the safety measures imposed by the UCI on different stakeholders (organizers, drivers of vehicles, supervisors, television crews, teams, etc.)
6-Improvement and modernization of obstacles and protection elements along the course.
7-Improve communication with riders when making important decisions, as well as establish a more detailed protocol on race neutralization.
8-Improving safety at the finish area. More specifically, it will look at after-deck gates/barriers, especially for bunch sprints. There will be a standard that the fences must meet. Such standards are established in consultation with stakeholders, taking into account the characteristics of today’s professional cycling sport.
9-Stricter regulations regarding potentially dangerous behavior of riders: discarding of water bottles on the road or in the middle of the pack as well as dangerous maneuvers/positions on the bike (mainly on descents).
10-Review the regulations – with appropriate sanctions – regarding the disposal of waste and objects outside the authorized zones.
11-Better supervision of the use of equipment (e.g. disc brakes and bottle holders) by teams that can cause varying problems. This will be reviewed by a dedicated “Equipment Commission” from industry and sport stakeholders.
12-Stricter guidelines for the behavior of various members in the race caravan (motorcyclists, vehicle drivers, and television helicopter pilots).
13-Drawing up a logbook where drivers within the caravan can record their experiences. Ultimately, this should lead to a license points system for the drivers in the race.
14-Prepare a more detailed and structured briefing for all drivers before the start of each race
