Cyclists protest safety concerns at Tour of Lombardy

At the start of the Tour of Lombardy, cyclists protested against safety issues in professional cycling, leading to a five-minute delay in the race's commencement. The protest was organized to highlight ongoing concerns about the dangers faced by riders during events.

Jorgenson commends Healy’s leadership

Matteo Jorgenson of Visma | Lease a Bike praised Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost for initiating the collective mobilization. Jorgenson emphasized the importance of solidarity among riders and the need to work together to address safety concerns.

Protest planned to avoid race disruption

He noted that the protest was carefully planned to avoid disrupting the race, as the previous incidents involving safety issues had not occurred at events organized by RCS Sport, the race organizer. The organizers had taken steps to ensure that such issues did not arise during this event.

Recent safety incidents in cycling

The protest follows several concerning incidents, including the death of Finlay Tarling during the Tour of Portugal in August after he was struck by a driver who entered the course. These incidents have raised serious questions about the safety of professional cycling events.

Delivery van and crashes highlight risks

More recently, a delivery van was found on the road during the Coppa Bernocchi, and Marcel Camprubí and Thomas Gloag crashed at the Trois Vallées Varésines after reportedly being hit by a police motorcycle traveling in the wrong direction. These incidents have underscored the urgent need for improved safety measures.

Collective effort to improve safety

Ben Healy emphasized that the initiative was a collective effort, supported by all teams present at the start, and aimed to send a strong message about the need for improved safety measures in professional cycling. The protest reflects a growing awareness and concern among riders about the risks they face.