Soudal-QuickStep CEO Jurgen Foré has known as for larger security at races following Martin Svrček’s crash at Milan-San Remo, which left the Slovakian with a fractured collarbone, scapula, and ribs.
Svrček crashed on the descent of the Cipressa late within the 289km Monument, going over a guardrail and falling three metres down the opposite facet. Since his crash got here as he was chasing again to the peloton alone, his accident went unnoticed, although fortunately, he remained acutely aware and was in a position to contact his group by way of radio.
Soudal-QuickStep administrators stopped and walked again up the hill earlier than discovering Svrček and giving him first help. As a results of his accidents, the 22-year-old now faces a protracted spell on the sidelines.
In an open letter written on Tuesday, Foré outlined the circumstances of the crash and the aftermath. He then outlined a number of measures that will assist stop comparable incidents in future.
“I do not need to level fingers on the race organisers. It was a crash ensuing from a number of elements. But I can not keep quiet both,” he wrote, based on experiences in Het Laatste Nieuws and Sporza.
“Martin crashed on the descent of the Cipressa as he tried to hitch the peloton. On a technical bend, he went over the guardrail and fell about three metres down. He was on their own, and there have been no automobiles close by that might have seen him.
“Fortunately, he was acutely aware and known as for assist over the group radio. Our leaders instantly had the reflex to cease the automotive and walked again to search for Martin. After 500 metres, they discovered him and had been in a position to give him first help.
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“I felt notably small once I stood subsequent to Martin’s mattress within the emergency room in San Remo. We cannot ignore this and transfer on. We should do every part we are able to to stop the intense penalties of some of these crashes, or higher but, keep away from these crashes altogether.”
Foré known as the crash “a racing incident”, noting that he did not blame race organisers RCS Sport. The Belgian, who this yr took over as Soudal-QuickStep CEO from Patrick Lefevere, mentioned that the group is establishing an ‘inner security group’ through which they’ll discover methods to enhance security.
“We must do higher to keep away from such accidents sooner or later,” Foré wrote. “Three months into the 2025 season, our group has three riders who can be out for months [Svrček, Antoine Huby and Remco Evenepoel – Ed.]. That is why we’re bringing collectively a bunch of riders in an inner security group.
“In that group, we are going to take a look at what we are able to do ourselves to enhance security in our group. That group can be a sounding board for our bike, tools and clothes companions.”
In addition, Foré outlined a number of security measures that he thinks biking ought to implement throughout the game.
He mentioned biking ought to “embrace know-how”, together with guaranteeing that radios and earpieces are in place in any respect races, and likewise advocated for “no-brainer selections”, together with extra course security checks, limits on tools comparable to gearing and handlebar width, and together with extra circuits in races.
“Let’s embrace know-how,” he wrote. “For instance, we are able to by no means once more end a race with out communication with the riders. Earpieces are a vital supply of data for the riders, enabling them to name for assist.
“They are a vital software to offer our riders with security info, however it is usually essential to present riders the chance to ask for assist in the event that they get into bother. A monitoring system would give the race group and the groups a software to see in actual time if a rider will get right into a tough scenario and to ship assist instantly if needed.
“It may be helpful to analyse racing incidents straight after the race and provides the organisers suggestions to make their race safer.”
It stays to be seen whether or not every other groups will be a part of Soudal-QuickStep in calling for these security measures or whether or not the UCI will make any modifications in response.
For his half, Svrček took to Instagram to present an replace on his situation on Tuesday, outlining the checklist of accidents he suffered within the crash.
“I wished to present you an replace after my crash on Saturday,” he wrote. “It was a tough second, and with out going into particulars, I suffered a number of fractures to my collarbone, scapula and a few ribs, and I’ll now must take a while to recuperate.
“I’m very grateful to all of the docs and nurses who sorted me and had been in a position to assist stop making the incident worse than it was. I’m additionally very grateful to the Soudal-QuickStep employees and all my teammates who’ve proven me the love, assist and spirit that the Wolfpack is known for.”
Read on for the complete checklist of Foré’s predominant security arguments.
Jurgen Foré’s proposed security measures
- Reducing the variety of gears, width of handlebars, and place of the gear shifters. Also, higher security checks on the course, particularly at harmful factors.
- Never race once more with out group communication and, subsequently, earphones.
- A monitoring system inside the race that permits every rider to be adopted at any time. Including direct suggestions.
- Improved helmets and protecting clothes, beginning in coaching – even on the expense of aerodynamics if needed.
- If needed, trip the identical circuits extra usually if this makes it simpler to ensure optimum security for the peloton.
- All stakeholders should take their collective accountability.