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[THREAD] The intrusion of moving or badly parked vehicles unrelated with the race itself caused a lot of debate during this 2020's @Skodatour. I will try to dive deeper into that topic for those interested. Disclaimer: no additional information about actual incidents!
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![[THREAD] The intrusion of moving or badly parked vehicles unrelated with the race itself caused a lot of debate during this 2020's @Skodatour. I will try to dive deeper into that topic for those interested. Disclaimer: no additional information about actual incidents!1/n](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiWMalBXgAECzkh.jpg "[THREAD] The intrusion of moving or badly parked vehicles unrelated with the race itself caused a lot of debate during this 2020's @Skodatour. I will try to dive deeper into that topic for those interested. Disclaimer: no additional information about actual incidents!1/n")
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This thread will just try to give a small overview of what can happen during a cycling race and the measures that are taken to try to prevent this. Of course, we will look towards Tour de France standards, but also look into #CodedelaRouteLux.
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The list of infamous race incidents involving "external" causes is long in the history of Tour de France. The danger does not only come from intruding cars and spectators. Even officials can be involved (1994: police man bringing Jalabert to fall). https://www.francetvinfo.fr/sports/tour-de-france/dix-chutes-qui-ont-marque-l-histoire-du-tour-de-france_987595.html
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It would be too easy to blame that police man as having had a dumb behaviour. Especially when rewatching the 1994 images and just start wondering that at that time it was normal to have people posted on the race track (and not behind the barriers)! https://www.ina.fr/video/CAB94067804
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You can also rewatch the 2011 situation with the car that had to choose between crashing into a tree or into the riders Hoogerland & Flecha. What would have been your decision?
Cycling races are dangerous. Therefore, safety measures are a necessity!
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Cycling races are dangerous. Therefore, safety measures are a necessity!
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Drivers operating inside a race are usually called "pilots". While it is not a conditio sine qua non, it is of good practice to recruit pilots with cycling race experience (former riders).
Why is cycling such a tough sport: well, Hoogerland raced on! https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/cyclisme/un-chauffeur-bien-discret-170280.html
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Why is cycling such a tough sport: well, Hoogerland raced on! https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/cyclisme/un-chauffeur-bien-discret-170280.html
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On the 2014 Tour de France, we witnessed a journalist's car blocking Nibali in a 100km/h descent. https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2014/07/23/1923259-quand-voiture-journalistes-gene-descente-maillot-jaune.html
Conclusions: Dangers are multiple. And race coverage itself can become a source of such danger (btw @skodatour 2020: motor bike/descent Rollingergrund).
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Conclusions: Dangers are multiple. And race coverage itself can become a source of such danger (btw @skodatour 2020: motor bike/descent Rollingergrund).
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But let us just remember the specific context around the epoch of the Hoogerland crash: many incidents with motor bikes were happening! There was an open debate about their required number inside races! https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/sport/tour-de-france-ouverture-d-une-enquete-apres-l-accident-de-dimanche_1011318.html
IMHO, this matters when discussing @Skodatour!
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IMHO, this matters when discussing @Skodatour!
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We did indeed read in the press, that after riders' strike, the organization of @Skodatour nearly had doubled motor bike riding police men presence.
In Tour de France, the right number of necessary motor bikes has been a matter of debate for years: https://moto-station.com/moto-revue/actu/motos-indispensables-indesirables-tour-de-france/424361
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In Tour de France, the right number of necessary motor bikes has been a matter of debate for years: https://moto-station.com/moto-revue/actu/motos-indispensables-indesirables-tour-de-france/424361
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In the Tour de France, active safety of race parcours is regulated by "les Anges Bleus" a motor bikes brigade of the famous Garde républicaine. The "Top Gun" of motor biking. https://actu.fr/societe/videos-les-gendarmes-anges-gardiens-du-tour-de-france-se-preparent-avant-le-grand-depart_35576503.html
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Since 1953, Garde républicaine motor bike officers are operating inside the « bulle privative » of the Tour de France. Dealing with "sas de régulation" is considered to be their toughest mission of the year! https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Archives/Archives-des-dossiers/2013-Dossiers/Le-Tour-de-France-2013/La-bulle-privative-du-Tour-de-France
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In Tour de France, "sas de régulation" is the road space between caravane publicitaire and the race itself. In other words, the Garde républicaine is preparing roadside to arrival of riders. In the race itself, Gendarmerie is responsible.
@skodatour "just" has @PoliceLux
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@skodatour "just" has @PoliceLux
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But that is just for the moving elements. There is also the concept of stationary "signaleurs" (also known in #CodedelaRouteLux). Their role is well-described here: https://s2c.sportsregions.fr/media/uploaded/sites/5044/document/5cdeb21199a82_LESIGNALEURSURLESCOURSESCYCLISTESversionnov2018.pdf
Luxembourg had(!) a tradition of using voluntary firefighters for that task.
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Luxembourg had(!) a tradition of using voluntary firefighters for that task.
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In the past, Luxembourg also knew motor bike clubs helping secure a stage cycling race. Ahead of the race, they moved in a rotational movement to block crossings and prevent precisely what we unfortunately saw in @skodatour 2020.
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The elements required for a cycling race are many. Sometimes they are even a cause of danger themselves. I won't give an opinion here whether @skodatour made mistakes. But a close analysis of 2020 incidents is inevitable. Crossing fingers that 2021 will be better.
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Final question: what will be the penalty for the infamous lorry driver? Probably less than you thought.
But the image damage for both @Skodatour and #LaProvençale is for sure much bigger, unfortunately.
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But the image damage for both @Skodatour and #LaProvençale is for sure much bigger, unfortunately.
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