Tour de France riders temporarily halt race to demand stronger safety measures

Cyclists in the Tour de France temporarily halted the race on Tuesday to demand that stronger safety measures be put in place by organizers following a series of crashes within the first few days of the tour. 

Video posted on social media showed a group of riders stopping their bikes at the one kilometer mark into the fourth stage of the race Tuesday. 

The riders sat still on their bikes for a one-minute silent protest, before continuing on together at a slow pace for the next 10 kilometers, or six miles, according to Reuters. 

After Saturday’s massive spectator-induced crash, riders at the Tour de France stop in a one-minute protest for safer racing conditions. pic.twitter.com/Pl6SdYS4yQ

— The Recount (@therecount) June 29, 2021

The move came the same day the rider’s union Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) released a statement demanding discussions with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and event organizers on how to improve the safety for cyclists. 

The statement followed a massive crash on Saturday after German cyclist Tony Martin rode straight into a sign being held up by a spectator from the sidelines, causing a domino effect of collisions. 

On Monday, another pile-up of riders occurred on narrow roads, and 2018 champion Geraint Thomas and last year’s runner-up Primoz Roglic, also crashed in separate incidents that same day. 

“Following the crashes during the third stage of the Tour de France, the riders have been discussing how they wish to proceed to show their dissatisfaction with safety measures in place and demand their concerns are taken seriously,” the CPA said in its statement. “Their frustration about foreseeable and preventable action is enormous.”

“The riders wish to stress their respect for their sponsors, their sports groups, the organizer, their international institution,” the group continued. “Supporters are very important to them – and this is why they will be riding today.”

“In return, the riders of the Tour de France ask for the same respect – respect for their safety,” the statement added. 

One of the group’s main requests is that officials adopt the so-called three kilometer rule, under which riders who crash in the last three kilometers, or nearly two miles, would be granted the time of the group they were riding with before they fell, according to NBC Sports. 

“Through this course of action, the riders intend to show their understanding to all parties and to open up to a constructive dialogue rather than create difficulties for cycling and the fans,” the CPA added. “However, riders and CPA are determined to pursue changes for the safety and physical integrity of athletes.” 

“These changes are more necessary than ever,” the group wrote.