Safety first: How to make pro cycling a safer sport
In the world of professional cycling, rider safety has become a hot topic, with everyone from fans to industry experts weighing in on potential solutions. But what do the riders themselves think?
The debate rages on
Christian Prudhomme, director of the iconic Tour de France, recently sparked controversy by suggesting that riders are simply "going too fast." This comment has ignited a passionate discussion among cycling enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The sport's governing body, the UCI, has also stepped in, implementing a series of regulatory changes aimed at improving race course design and curbing technical innovations. From banning time trial helmets to restricting ultra-narrow handlebars, the UCI is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for a safer sport.
But here's where it gets interesting: we decided to turn to the experts themselves - the riders and their sports directors - for their take on the matter.
On the ground at the Santos Tour Down Under
Our roving reporter, Ashley Quinlan, caught up with some of the top names in the sport at the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under. We asked them a simple question: What's the one change they'd make to improve rider safety?
"It's all about the roads we race on" - George Bennett, NSN Cycling Team
Bennett believes that the key to safer racing lies in the courses themselves. He highlights the importance of thorough course reconnaissance, arguing that many crashes can be attributed to unexpected corners and narrowings on the roads.
"Narrowings cause more crashes than anything else, especially on high-speed roads. It's a fight to get through, and often the last guy doesn't brake in time."
He also raises an interesting point about the role of road furniture, suggesting that unexpected obstacles can contribute to the risk of accidents.
"More attention to course review" - Jack Haig, Ineos Grenadiers
Haig emphasizes the need for more thorough course evaluation before races. He believes that many issues could be avoided if more time and effort were put into reviewing the courses, citing examples of last-minute problems that arise just before the start of a stage.
"If there's a bit more time and effort put into reviewing the courses, we could avoid a lot of silly situations."
He also mentions the importance of adhering to UCI rules regarding corners and sprint finishes, suggesting that a more rigorous review process could help prevent potential hazards.
"Barriers and respect" - Jake Stewart, NSN Cycling Team
Stewart believes that the new UCI rules regarding barriers in sprint finishes have been a significant safety improvement. However, he acknowledges that the sport remains inherently dangerous, and that riders must take responsibility for their actions.
"When you're on the limit, some guys take more risks than others. Accidents happen, and we have to accept that it's part of the sport."
He also emphasizes the importance of course planning, ensuring that finish lines are suitable for the high speeds at which riders approach them.
"Standardized equipment for slower speeds" - James Knox, Team Picnic PostNL
Knox suggests that standardized equipment, such as deliberately slow tires, could be a way to reduce speeds and improve safety. However, he acknowledges the challenges of reaching an agreement on such measures.
"It would be hard to implement, but I think the riders need to take a step back and look at themselves, alongside route organizers and planners."
He highlights the complexity of the issue, with many working parts and different parties involved, making it a difficult discussion to navigate.
"Respect between riders" - Jussi Veikkanen, directeur sportif at Groupama-FDJ United
Veikkanen believes that the most important factor in improving safety is the respect between riders. He argues that as the speed of races increases, riders must take care of themselves and others.
"The speed is getting higher, but riders need to think about the risks they're taking."
He also mentions the gearing restrictions that have been proposed, suggesting that while they may not be the key to security, the organizers are making efforts to improve race safety.
"Increase drag" - Matthew Brennan, Team Visma | Lease a Bike
Brennan agrees with the idea of increasing drag as a way to slow down riders. He references Dan Bigham's work on this topic, suggesting that wider bars and aero helmets are steps in the right direction.
"I think there's still a lot more that can be done to increase drag and slow us down."
"Good checking of course design" - Matt White, co-head of the racing department at Movistar Team
White emphasizes the importance of thorough course design checks. He questions how some courses have been approved by the UCI, suggesting that there's room for improvement in this area.
"Cycling is a technical sport, but there are certainly aspects we can avoid or improve upon."
He also mentions the challenges posed by road furniture, especially in Northern Europe, where bike paths and roundabouts have become more common in recent years.
So, what do you think? Is rider safety in professional cycling improving, or are there still major concerns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
