Matteo Trentin, one of the rider representatives to the UCI stakeholder meeting on rider safety, hopes the discussions will lead to lasting measures, as improving regulations regarding crash barriers is a key element.

The UCI began discussions in September, bringing together representatives from the riders' union (CPA), teams (AIGCP), race organizers (AIOCC), and the UCI to work on a global plan to improve rider safety after a series of flaws in course design, roadside barriers, and rider behavior were highlighted this year The decision was made to work on a global plan to improve rider safety.

"There was another meeting on Thursday, which I was not able to attend, but there have been several meetings in recent months to discuss race safety, especially after the incident at the Tour de Pollogne," Trencin said in an interview with Tuttobiciweb (opens in new tab).

"There were two introductory meetings, three meetings divided by topic, and a final meeting on Thursday where everything that was discussed was presented."

The 2020 season was riddled with accidents, the most serious crash being that of Fabio Jacobsen (Deceuninck-Quick Step), who was seriously injured, losing all of his teeth, when the Tour de Pollogne barriers collapsed on impact The UCI sent Jacobsen into the barriers. Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) was suspended for nine months for causing Jacobsen to crash into the barrier, but riders past and present strongly criticized the UCI for allowing organizers to use substandard fences.

Avoidable accidents include Remco Evenpole's crash into a ravine on Il Lombardia, Steven Kruijswijk's fall on a pothole road at the Criterium du Dauphiné, and a group crash on a slippery road in Nice during the Tour de France. There were many other accidents that could have been avoided, but it was Jacobsen's accident in particular that most spurred the debate about the design of course barriers.

"We sat around the table with the UCI and the organizers and brought all the issues we encountered in the race into the discussion. The organizers also brought up issues they were having and we started a dialogue. I can't believe that the organizers would reduce the barriers knowing that we could get hurt," Trentin said.

The Italian, who will leave the CCC team for UAE Team Emirates in 2021, wants the sport to move toward the use of padded barricades like those used in speed skating and skiing, but acknowledges that riders, convoy drivers, and motorcycles must also be on their best behavior They acknowledge that riders, convoy drivers, and motorcyclists also need to be on their best behavior.

"This is a time-consuming process, but as riders we have been taken into consideration and changes could be made to some important rules to avoid accidents," said Trentin.

"We asked for a safety barrier to be placed near the finish. Barriers should not be seen as the only thing separating us from the public riders. They should be protective, like skiing or ice skating, with pads to soften the impact. We also called for new, permanent rules. [Since Jacobsen's crash, the UCI has cracked down hard on irregular sprint events, and Sam Bennett, Pascal Ackermann, and Peter Sagan were each demoted at the end of the season.

"Obviously, when we talk about safety, we need a holistic perspective and all parties need to be involved. We riders make mistakes too.

It is unknown whether the detailed proposals prepared by Jos van Emden will be considered, with suggestions including closer course inspections and a ban on sprint finishes in the downhill.