The UCI Management Committee has approved a plan to improve rider safety. A range of safety measures featuring in various guides published by the UCI for different stakeholders (organisers, vehicle drivers, regulators, TV production, teams, etc.) will be revised – with a view to reinforcing them – where necessary.
For example, new provisions for the organisation of rider refreshments at events have been agreed, in particular the obligation to set up rubbish collection zones every 30km to 40km so riders are able to get rid of waste or bottles.
Several measures will also be established at events (for example weighting and also positioning of barriers on the finish line to avoid any space between them). During 2021, a set of standards for barriers used in the final sections of events, in particular for bunch sprints, will be established.
These standards concerning barriers will be implemented by event organisers from the beginning of the 2022 season. The UCI will adjust the timeline for the implementation of these new standards during the 2022 season according to the progress of their development.
Stricter directives covering the conduct of different members of the race convoy (motorcycle riders, vehicle drivers and also television helicopter pilots) have also been decided. A logbook system will eventually lead to the application of a licence points system for drivers in the race convoy. This will be progressively introduced.
These measures are accompanied by the creation of the role of Safety Manager within the UCI, dedicated to the safety and the supervision of safety at events on the UCI International Road Calendar1. This position will be occupied by Richard Chassot (SUI), former professional cyclist and event organiser, notably of the UCI WorldTour event, the Tour de Romandie.
Following his appointment by the UCI, as a consultant for a period of one year, and to avoid any conflict of interest, Chassot has stepped down from his position of Director General of the Association Internationale des Organisateurs de Courses Cyclistes (AIOCC).
With the collaboration of an external service provider specialising in data collection and analysis, the UCI has undertaken the development of a database of incidents and accidents that have occurred at major UCI WorldTour events in the last five years, allowing for more effective targeting of actions to be taken by the UCI for in-race safety.
With the help of new technologies, a tool enabling race organisers to benefit from an evaluation of risks in the proposed route several weeks before the start of the event is currently being developed. This tool will enable the UCI and organisers to target their actions to ensure race route security and identify potential risks before the events.
The UCI Management Committee also decided to reinforce the regulation concerning potentially dangerous conduct of riders, including throwing a bottle onto the road or within the peloton (which may pose a danger for following riders), and taking up dangerous positions on the bike (especially sitting on the top tube). The regulation concerning the throwing of waste and bottles outside dedicated zones has also been reviewed.
Failure to comply with these provisions will lead to warnings from the commissaires, as part of an initial education and awareness phase, then systematic sanctions (which could go as far as exclusion from competition) from 1st April 20212. The UCI adds that it wishes to spend several months making riders aware of the changes.
A campaign to inform of and promote the measures will be introduced not only for the riders but also for teams and commissaires, to ensure everyone knows and understands the new provisions and their consequences.
Still on the subject of rider safety, but from a medical point of view, after the publication mid-December 2020 of a protocol for the management of concussion, the UCI has decided to develop a practical tool to facilitate its implementation.
Symptom cards detailing the principal signs of suspected concussion to look for in all athletes after a fall, will be distributed to all concerned whether they be health professionals or not. They will be pocket-sized for easy practical use.
UCI President David Lappartient said “The safety and well-being of athletes are at the heart of the UCI’s preoccupations. I am pleased that several decisions have been taken to improve these, notably a series of unprecedented measures to reinforce safety during road races and support for the CPA and CPA Women, organisations representing men and women riders, in this period that is difficult for all our sport’s members.
“After 2020, a year in which the UCI invested a great deal to successfully ensure the staging of a maximum of major events despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it will continue to follow the evolution of the situation with all its stakeholders and adapt its measures, notably its health protocols, to ensure the season 2021 runs as smoothly as possible.”
