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By Timothy Mottram
This year’s Tour de France has seen an unprecedented
number of cyclists dropping out of the race due to crashes.
On July 7th, dozens of riders were involved in a horrific crash
which put many riders on the plane home. Smaller crashes
have been occurring throughout the race.
Then on July 15th, people who can only be described as
hooligans spread tacks and nails on the first day of the big
mountain stage in the Pyrenees. The resulting crash saw 30
of the 162 riders having their tyres punctured. Chaos ensued
as riders skidded to a stop.
Croatian rider Robert Kiserlovski skidded off the road and
left the race with a broken collarbone.
“We think the tacks were thrown on the last part of the climb
and on the first part of the descent,” said the Tour’s technical
director, Jean François Pescheux
The Tour de France organization has subsequently asked
the French police to make formal investigations into the
incident. “We deplore such irresponsible acts that constitute
an assault on the riders’ physical integrity,” it said.
This attack on the riders makes a difficult race almost
impossible. Crashes are occurring with ever-greater
frequency in the Tour. There are other risks, involving
possible collisions with over enthusiastic fans and stray
animals. At one point, top racer Bradley Wiggins received
minor burns after being struck by a flare that a supporter
was waving.
Canadian rider and expert Michael Barry believes that a
widening of the appeal of cycling and the changing urban
environment are to blame for the increases in accidents.
“Roundabouts, traffic islands and concrete stumps erected
to make roads safer by slowing and improving traffic flow,”
he said.
“As bicycle race routes cross the countryside, then snake
through large cities and hamlets, those safety measures
become hazards.”
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Insight
TOUR DE FARCE
HOW CYCLING HAS BECOME A CONTACT SPORT