Caleb Yuan and Philippe Gilbert were preparing for Milan-San Remo this week, but like everyone in the cycling world, they were shocked to see the crash that left Fabio Jacobsen seriously injured after he crashed into the barriers at high speed in the Tour de Pologne.

As world-class sprinters and experienced classic riders, both often outspoken about safety in the peloton, they were shocked at how the crash happened, but what can be done to make sprinting safer in the future and what can They questioned what, if anything, could be done to make sprinting safer in the future.

"Sprinters need to respect each other. In a way, we are all in this together and we don't want to hurt each other," Ewan told the media, including Cycling News, at his hotel in Lotto Soudal, west of Milan, on the eve of Milan-San Remo.

"Moving the line is something everyone has done, but we know there are limits. We can't keep pushing riders into the barriers."

Gilbert revealed that he has twice contested the downhill finish of the Tour de Pollogne. He knows that riders sprint in huge 56x11 gears that reach 80 km/h and that amplifies small mistakes and extra moves.

"We know that taking risks at that speed will have bad consequences for those involved in the crash. Even at 60 km/h, it is really dangerous to make a move like this," Gilbert said.

"It's not smart to do this and we should also ask if it's smart to sprint. It's like doing a Tour de France sprint down the Champs-Elysées. But they finish in a smarter way.

Gilbert's long career has taught him that there is less and less respect in the peloton, especially among sprinters.

"I have watched many sprints over the years and never once felt respect.

"Many sprinters now push with the same wattage, and even in the Tour de France, sprints are decided by one or two centimeters. Sprints are becoming about who takes the most risks. Frankly, I don't think there is a solution. They are the only ones who have the keys to make sprinting safer."

Ewan was not optimistic that the sprinters could unite and create a common set of rules regarding respect and safety.

"One of my best friends is Sam Bennett, and we talk a lot, but I wouldn't say we get along with the other sprinters, we don't talk much. I can't say I get along with the other sprinters, we don't talk a lot.

"I just hope that all the sprinters will take something from that incident and reaffirm that we need to respect each other. What we are doing is very dangerous and we don't need to make it more dangerous."

Ewan and Gilbert received a high level of media attention, especially from the Belgian media, ahead of Milan-San Remo. Gilbert is chasing a victory on the Via Roma to complete his monument to cycling, while Ewan is confident that he can survive the late climbs and even win in a group sprint finish. There is no rivalry within the Lotto-Soudal team, and for verbal and practical reasons, the two were interviewed apart; they traveled together to Milan this week, studying the new Milan-San Remo route along the way.

"I think we have the perfect combination for Milan-San Remo," Ewan suggested.

"The race usually goes two ways: a sprint of 40 or 50 riders, where I can do well; or a sprint of 50 riders, where I can do well. He's a real puncher. It's nice to have those two options." Ewan acknowledged that Gilbert is free to join the attack in the poggio, but called for him to help if there is a sprint finish. Ewan expects a harder race on the new inland route, and says the six-man team and 30-degree summer temperatures will make it even more challenging. The weather will be a real test and will affect the race more than the route. Tulcino is 150km from the finish, but there are about 70km of new climbs left, at least I hope so."

Ewan can envision a perfect sprint in Via Roma. Like any sprint, you have to get the timing right," he said. But Via Roma suits me because my legs are fatigued and it's a bit uphill. It's all about intuition. I can feel what's going on around me and see who's still good and who's not," he explained.

If Gilbert wins Milan-San Remo and achieves cycling's one-day monument, he will make cycling history. But it is not a heavy burden on his shoulders.

"I know that winning Milano-Sanremo would give my whole career a special dimension that I haven't seen in a long time. Other riders ask me if I'm going to make history.

"But it's not extra pressure. I want to win, my ambition is clear, and I will try to win. But if I don't win, it won't happen. Win or lose, I'll reset and move on like I always do."