Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

UCI introduces new guidelines for race vehicles in response to safety concerns

Race vehicles came under increased scrutiny following a series of collisions last season

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has published new guidelines for traffic in races. The document is aimed at all drivers of vehicles operating during road cycling events.

In December, Lotto-Soudal rider Stig Broeckx emerged from a coma six months after a crash involving two race motorbikes at the Tour of Belgium.

That collision had taken place less than two months after another Belgian rider, Wanty-Gobert’s Antoine Demoitié, had died following another motorbike collision during Gent-Wevelgem.

In the wake of those incidents, the UCI announced plans to update its road racing safety regulations and subsequently put together a working group of riders, teams, race organisers and commissaires to review and improve rider safety and security ahead of the coming season.

The new document defines the rules governing all drivers operating during a road cycling event. Anyone contravening the rules can be sent to the UCI Disciplinary Commission.

UCI President Brian Cookson commented:

“This guide for vehicle circulation in a race is an important step forward which reflects the concrete efforts made by the UCI and all stakeholders to improve the safety of riders at competitions. I would like to acknowledge the constructive spirit shared by our federation, the riders, teams, commissaires and organisers during this in-depth work.

“We call on the drivers’ sense of responsibility to guarantee the safety of riders. This document backs up our regulation, which was strengthened last year, and will serve as a reference for commissaires and organisers as well as anyone working at a race. This guide is proof of our determination to assume our responsibilities in the face of a capital issue: the security of our sport and our athletes.”

As well as rules of conduct to be followed at the wheel, there are also specific rules about how vehicles should operate during the race.

The specific rules about passing riders are:

  • Vehicles  shall  pass  one  at  a  time,  without  excessive  speed,  and  without hindering the riders' progress.
  • Drivers shall honk their horn to warn riders when passing them.
  • It is recommended that riders not be passed while passing through urban areas.
  • Press and guest vehicles must not overtake the peloton.
  • If a vehicle wishes to return to the back of the race by being overtaken by the peloton, it must do so safely by carefully pulling off the road in a manner that does not hinder the progress of the peloton. Any vehicle that pulls over must do so completely out of the way of the riders.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
Grahamd | 7 years ago
1 like

No reference to how a team bus should be driven ...

Avatar
RobD | 7 years ago
1 like

No specific mention regarding motorbikes and distances from the front of the race or in crowded areas etc?

Avatar
jamesfifield replied to RobD | 7 years ago
0 likes

RobD wrote:

No specific mention regarding motorbikes and distances from the front of the race or in crowded areas etc?

 

Though not quoted directly, there are several instances in the document singling out motorcycles, and Section IV (" SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF MOTORCYCLES") looks specifically at motos in the race. The document does cover distances from the front of the race, splits, finishes, and crowded areas.

 

Whether it is actually enforceable/enforced is another matter however.

Avatar
RobD replied to jamesfifield | 7 years ago
0 likes

jamesfifield wrote:

 

Though not quoted directly, there are several instances in the document singling out motorcycles, and Section IV (" SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF MOTORCYCLES") looks specifically at motos in the race. The document does cover distances from the front of the race, splits, finishes, and crowded areas.

 

Whether it is actually enforceable/enforced is another matter however.

[/quote]

 

Hopefully this year will be an improvement, last year seemed to get a bit ridiculous at times, I know wanting decent tv pictures etc causes part of the problem, but there just seemed to be a lack of common sense from some of the support vehicles. The riders seem to be able to cause enough crashes themselves without outside assistance.

Latest Comments