disqualified Scheldeprijs level crossing

Conor Dunne has apologised for his role in the race incident at Scheldeprijs. But the Aqua Blue Sport man has said it was a genuine mistake. He said he was focussed on the chase and didn’t know a closing level crossing was coming up.

Video riders disqualified over Scheldeprijs level crossing incident

Irish rider Conor Dunne has apologised for his part in an unusual mass disqualification at Scheldeprijs today.

A group of 34 riders was pulled out of the race after riding through a train level crossing gate that was just about to close.

However, Dunne said he didn’t even see the crossing until he was on it and it was too late to stop.

A crash had just split the main field about halfway through the race. Dunne was in the second group chasing the leaders.

When his group reached the level crossing, the lights were flashing indicating it was about to close.

Under race rules the riders should have stopped, allowed the crossing gates to close and let the train pass.

Een groep van z'n 30 renners is uit koers gehaald... Waaronder @GroenewegenD . #SP18 pic.twitter.com/ZotIhHqVgZ

— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) April 4, 2018

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However, a 34-man section of the group rode across the tracks. They were judged to have broken the rules and disqualified.

But Dunne said at the time of the incident he was just focussed on the wheel in front of him. And he simply didn’t realise a level crossing lay ahead that was closing.

Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step) won the race in a sprint from the group. He said he didn’t realise those behind had been disqualified.

A group of 30 riders sprinted it out for victory. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) was 2^nd, with Christopher Lawless (Team Sky) in 3^rd.

Dunne, who was well placed at the time of the level crossing incident, was the only Irishman in the 1.HC race from Terneuzen to Schoten.

Genuine mistake today and I'm sorry. In a group chasing full gas just behind the front group after a crash caused a split in bunch. We were going full gas and I did not see the railway until I was literally on it. Did not see any red lights or hear any alarm. 1/2

— Conor Dunne (@conordunnealot) April 4, 2018

At that point I was only looking at the wheel in front and concentrating on not crashing in the gutter. It was a mistake and I'm sorry, but it genuinely wasn't done intentionally. 2/2

— Conor Dunne (@conordunnealot) April 4, 2018