The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) has announced that it will begin a major reform of race safety conditions by strengthening race inspections for the remainder of the rescheduled 2020 season following a series of major crashes and protests by riders about safety.

Fabio Jacobsen (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) was sown at high speed by Dylan Groenewegen in the Tour de Pollogne, crashed through the barriers, and went into a coma (open in new tab), teammate Remco Evenpor crashed over a low barrier on a difficult descent of Il Lombardia, fracturing his pelvis (open in new tab).

Many riders also crashed hard on the gravel-covered descent of the Criterium du Dauphiné, and Steven Kruijswijk of Jumbo-Visma abandoned the Tour de France (open in new tab) due to injury.

The riders criticized the UCI, the race organizers, and even their own CPA riders' association after the crash. While acknowledging that they were often responsible for the crash, some riders believed that more could be done to reduce the risks of the race. Jumbo Visma veteran Jos van Emden offered 10 suggestions (opens in new tab) for safer racing.

The UCI blamed race organizers for recent accidents, suggesting they did not respect safety rules.

"Despite the risks inherent in our sport, the UCI cannot condone the fact that the accidents of recent weeks are often the result of a failure to respect the safety rules that apply to all riders in professional road cycling," the UCI said in a statement announcing stronger race inspections and a broader review in a statement announcing the strengthening of race inspections and a broader review.

"There have been too many serious accidents recently and the UCI is aware of the complaints from athletes.

"Safety remains the responsibility of the organizers, so the UCI immediately took the measures required by the regulations, especially after the events at the Tour de Pollogne, Ile Lombardia, Criterium du Dauphiné and Tour de Wallonie. Our federation continues to investigate and cannot rule out the possibility of implementing disciplinary procedures.

"At the UCI Management Committee meeting in January 2020, new measures aimed at improving rider safety in races were introduced at the request and agreement of all parties involved: riders (CPA), organizers (AIOCC) and teams (AIGCP). We note that despite the fact that certain basic safety measures have been introduced, certain basic safety measures have not been respected. Therefore, until the end of the season, the UCI, together with the Technical Advisor, will further intensify inspections before and during competitions with the aim of guaranteeing the safety of the athletes as much as possible.

The UCI will also work with riders, teams, and organizers to initiate "far-reaching reform of safety conditions."

Details and timelines for the reforms are largely unknown, but the UCI stated that the goal is to "objectively and sharefully assess the current situation of repeated crashes that endanger all riders and, in some cases, introduce remedial measures that will allow the use of new technologies."

The UCI also highlighted the safety measures it has introduced in recent years and may consider strengthening its sanctioning system for ignoring regulations.

"Rider safety is a priority for the International Cycling Union, which considers this issue of paramount importance," UCI President David Lapalitento said in a press release, "We recognize riders' concerns about the safety conditions under which they engage in their work, and we will take strong and appropriate We are determined to take further steps to provide".

"We wish a speedy recovery to all the riders who suffered accidents and assure them, as well as the entire peloton, that the UCI is working with the cycling community on new initiatives to guarantee greater safety for all, in addition to the measures already taken earlier in the year. ."