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Soudal-QuickStep CEO Jurgen Foré has known as for larger protection at races following Martin Svrček’s crash at Milan-San Remo, which left the Slovakian with a fractured collarbone, scapula, and ribs.
Svrček crashed at the descent of the Cipressa past due within the 289km Monument, going over a guardrail and falling 3 metres down the opposite aspect. Since his crash got here as he was once chasing again to the peloton by myself, his coincidence went omitted, regardless that thankfully, he remained mindful and was once ready to touch his group by way of radio.
Soudal-QuickStep administrators stopped and walked again up the hill prior to discovering Svrček and giving him first support. On account of his accidents, the 22-year-old now faces a protracted spell at the sidelines.
In an open letter written on Tuesday, Foré defined the cases of the crash and the aftermath. He then defined a number of measures that can lend a hand save you identical incidents in long run.
“I don’t want to point fingers at the race organisers. It was a crash resulting from several factors. But I cannot stay quiet either,” he wrote, consistent with stories in Het Laatste Nieuws and Sporza.
“Martin crashed on the descent of the Cipressa as he tried to join the peloton. On a technical bend, he went over the guardrail and fell about three metres down. He was all alone, and there were no cars nearby that could have seen him.
“Thankfully, he was once mindful and known as for lend a hand over the group radio. Our leaders right away had the reflex to prevent the automobile and walked again to search for Martin. After 500 metres, they discovered him and had been ready to provide him first support.
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“I felt particularly small when I stood next to Martin’s bed in the emergency room in San Remo. We can’t ignore this and move on. We must do everything we can to prevent the serious consequences of these types of crashes, or better yet, avoid these crashes altogether.”
Foré known as the crash “a racing incident”, noting that he did not blame race organisers RCS Game. The Belgian, who this 12 months took over as Soudal-QuickStep CEO from Patrick Lefevere, stated that the group is organising an ‘inner protection workforce’ wherein they are able to to find techniques to toughen protection.
“We have to do better to avoid such accidents in the future,” Foré wrote. “Three months into the 2025 season, our team has three riders who will be out for months [Svrček, Antoine Huby and Remco Evenepoel – Ed.]. That is why we are bringing together a group of riders in an internal safety group.
“In that workforce, we will be able to have a look at what we will be able to do ourselves to toughen protection in our group. That workforce will also be a sounding board for our motorbike, apparatus and clothes companions.”
In addition, Foré outlined several safety measures that he thinks cycling should implement across the sport.
He said cycling should “embody generation”, including ensuring that radios and earpieces are in place at all races, and also advocated for “no-brainer selections”, including more course safety checks, limits on equipment such as gearing and handlebar width, and including more circuits in races.
“Let’s embody generation,” he wrote. “As an example, we will be able to by no means once more end a race with out verbal exchange with the riders. Earpieces are a the most important supply of knowledge for the riders, enabling them to name for lend a hand.
“They are an essential tool to provide our riders with safety information, but it is also crucial to give riders the opportunity to ask for help if they get into trouble. A tracking system would give the race organization and the teams a tool to see in real time if a rider gets into a difficult situation and to send help immediately if necessary.
“It may be helpful to analyse racing incidents immediately after the race and provides the organisers comments to make their race more secure.”
It remains to be seen whether any other teams will join Soudal-QuickStep in calling for these safety measures or whether the UCI will make any changes in response.
For his part, Svrček took to Instagram to give an update on his condition on Tuesday, outlining the list of injuries he suffered in the crash.
“I sought after to come up with an replace after my crash on Saturday,” he wrote. “It was once a troublesome second, and with out going into main points, I suffered a couple of fractures to my collarbone, scapula and a few ribs, and I can now must take a while to recuperate.
“I am very grateful to all the doctors and nurses who looked after me and were able to help prevent making the incident worse than it was. I am also very grateful to the Soudal-QuickStep staff and all my teammates who have shown me the love, support and spirit that the Wolfpack is famous for.”
Learn on for the overall record of Foré’s major protection arguments.
Jurgen Foré’s proposed protection measuresReducing the choice of gears, width of handlebars, and place of the equipment shifters. Additionally, higher protection assessments at the route, particularly at unhealthy issues.By no means race once more with out group verbal exchange and, subsequently, earphones.A monitoring gadget throughout the race that permits every rider to be adopted at any time. Together with direct comments.Stepped forward helmets and protecting clothes, beginning in coaching – even on the expense of aerodynamics if vital.If vital, experience the similar circuits extra incessantly if this makes it more uncomplicated to ensure optimum protection for the peloton.All stakeholders will have to take their collective accountability.
