Cyclists Protest Safety After Rider Deaths, Delay Giro di Lombardia Start

Riders in the Giro di Lombardia, one of cycling's most prestigious one-day races, initiated a five-minute protest at the start line to highlight safety concerns in professional racing. The peloton remained stationary after the initial start signal, drawing attention to what they describe as a pattern of incidents involving vehicles on race courses.

Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel spoke out after the delay, emphasizing the unacceptable frequency of accidents. "Unfortunately we lost the life of a brother and of a colleague of us," Evenepoel stated, referencing the August death of British cyclist Fin Tarling, who was killed in a collision with a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal. "We want to make this statement to show to the world that we cannot keep accepting the fact that guys are getting injured or literally dying in what we like the most to do."

The CPA, a union representing professional cyclists, issued a statement re-posted by riders including Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock, noting multiple recent incidents involving vehicles on race routes. "This summer, a life was tragically lost to exactly this kind of failure. We will not stand for this any longer," the union declared.

The CPA is urging the UCI, cycling's governing body, to ensure race organizers uphold their responsibilities and enhance safety standards. The union stressed that riders compete at high speeds with limited protection and depend on race organizers for secure roads, a responsibility they feel is not being adequately met.

Earlier in the week, riders Thomas Gloag and Marcel Camprubi were hit by a police motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction during the Tre Valli Varesine race. The CPA clarified that the protest was not intended to disrupt the race but to demonstrate collective rider action. "We did not want to affect the race, only to show what riders can do when we stand as one," the statement read. "We love this sport. We respect the race organisers. We want to race hard and put on a show for our fans. However most importantly we want to come home safe to our loved ones."

The Giro di Lombardia is the final race of the season's five Monuments. This year's event is the penultimate UCI World Tour calendar event. Tadej Pogacar, who had won the Giro di Lombardia for the preceding five years, is not participating due to a season-ending injury sustained at the Vuelta a Espana.