Lotto-Soudal rider Stig Broeckx, above, was left in a coma after a crash involving two motos wiped out a section of the peloton in Belgium. He had been hit by a moto earlier in the year at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, above.
Responding to a series of high profile incidents at pro races during which race vehicles – cars and motos – hit riders the UCI is responding with a range of new measures.
The world governing body is to limit the number of vehicles moving around riders and is also examining the size and power of motos used at events.
In order to ensure compliance with new safety rules it is also greatly increasing the number of its personnel on races to monitor proceedings.
The UCI has made a statement on the issue following the latest incident at the weekend when one race moto hit another at the Belgium Tour causing a crash in the peloton that resulted in the stage being abandoned.
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Stig Broeckx of Lotto Soudal suffered serious head injuries that left him with bleeds on his brain and in a coma.
It was the second time this year the Belgian had been hit by a moto, crashing harder when hit from behind by a moto overtaking the bunch in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne back in February.
Peter Sagan reacted with anger after being hit by a race moto on the Vuelta last year.
UCI president Brian Cookson said with the sport having witnessed some very serious incidents of late it was time to act.
“Safety is an absolutely vital issue for the UCI and our stakeholders, and it is crucial we do all in our power to protect the riders from unnecessary risks,” he said.
We have seen too many incidents involving motorcycles, and that is why we recently adopted clear new rules governing how vehicles must be driven in races.”
“Right now, our thoughts are with Stig Broeckx, his family, friends and teammates from Lotto Soudal.”
The UCI is currently finalising an updated and comprehensive set of regulations and guidelines on road racing, including safety.
It said it would include “rules limiting the number of vehicles allowed in races and how these vehicles should be positioned at different points” in races.
The UCI was also “carefully studying elements such as the size and power of motorcycles” and how those factors had evolved down the years.
In order to ensure “the right level of understanding and compliance” with the new rules, the UCI is to “significantly increase the human resources being deployed at races” as part of event monitoring.
The UCI’s statement continued: "These new rules require absolute vigilance from all drivers and motorbike riders, who must at all times prioritise the safety of riders in the race, spectators and other vehicles.
"The new rules also make it clear that everyone in charge of a vehicle must immediately comply with all directions from race commissaires.
"The need for safe driving, particularly when overtaking riders, has been given extra emphasis by commissaires during pre-race briefings.
"These rules are backed by sanctions which will be applied by the UCI Disciplinary Commission if any driver is found to be acting negligently."
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What the new rules say:
§ 4 Circulation during the race
Drivers
2.2.038 Drivers (of both cars and motor cycles) must respect the relevant provisions of the Highway Code applicable in the country in which the event is being run and in particular they shall:
- ensure that their vehicle is in good condition and roadworthy;
- ensure that they are fit to drive and not impaired in any way, for example by fatigue or the consumption of alcohol, drugs, medication or any other substances that may influence driving skills;
- drive in a prudent manner to safeguard the safety of riders in the race, spectators and other vehicles;
- withhold from undertaking any action likely to distract their attention from the road and traffic
Drivers must also comply with:
- instructions given to them by race commissaires, the race organiser and with any relevant rules or guidelines issued by the UCI.
Drivers must never:
- allow riders to hold onto their vehicle;
- pass a barrage without prior permission from a commissaire.
2.2.039 Any infringements of the provisions of article 2.2.038 may lead to immediate exclusion from the race, at the discretion of the Commissaires’ Panel. A refusal to leave the race may be penalised by the Disciplinary Commission.
Whether the infringement was penalised by the Commissaires’ Panel or not, the UCI may refer the case to the Disciplinary Commission, which may impose a suspension of up to one year as well as a fine of CHF 200 to 10’000.
2.2.040 Should the exclusion occur during a UCI WorldTour event, the driver shall not be allowed to take part in the next UCI WorldTour event. Should the exclusion occur during a stage race, the driver shall be excluded for one or more of the following stages.
Passengers
2.2.041 All passengers of vehicles shall equally ensure that they act in a prudent manner to safeguard the safety of riders in the race, spectators and other vehicles.
2.2.042 Any infringements of article 2.2.041 may be referred by the UCI to the Disciplinary Commission, which may impose a suspension of up to one year as well as a fine of CHF 200 to 10’000.
2.2.043 All licence-holders shall be liable for their own actions with regard to article 2.2.041.
In the event the passenger of a team car is not a licence-holder, the sports director shall be liable for any infringement of article 2.2.041.
In the event the passenger of any other vehicle is not a licence-holder, the driver shall be liable for infringements of article 2.2.041.
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