Why So Many HUGE Crashes Right Now? | GCN Show Ep. 587

Why are there so many crashes in pro cycling at the moment?
With Vingegaard, Evenepoel and Van Aert all having serious crashes, resulting in multiple broken bones in recent weeks, we’ll be looking at the possible reasons why.
Plus, we ask how there are now more cyclists than motorists in the city of Paris, as Dan & Si cover all the latest cycling news from this past week, and much more!
Participate in the Topeak Competition here! 👉 gcn.eu/GCNTopeakCompetitionApril
Welcome! 0:00
The latest in cycling news 0:52
Are there really more crashes? 3:27
What are the potential reasons why? 5:05
Are there any solutions? 11:50
Cycling Shorts 17:14
Topeak Competition! #AD 21:39
Hack/Bodge of the week 23:03
Caption competition 29:25
Comment of the week 32:30
Coming up this week 36:21
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Do you feel there have been more crashes this year? ❤️‍🩹
Let us know in the comments below. 💬
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[@gcn]

Do you agree that it’s the racing that makes pro cycling dangerous, not the riding? 🤔Do you feel there have been more crashes this year? What can be done to reduce them? Let us know your opinions in the comments! 👇

[@mspaduhilao7581]

I have no comments for that. I just woke up.

[@mspaduhilao7581]

@homerdummy5639 I don't understand how that would help.

[@philipcarson8438]

The least controversial change would be to make the handling less jittery. Minimum bar width relative to shoulder width, maximum stem length, no turn-in of brake levers.

[@foxy1706]

Number plates??

[@paperxray]

If the general cycling public isn’t having more crashes year over year, then that’s your answer that it’s racing, not riding

[@Ryan.T89]

As an organiser of club races we are getting loads of crashes over the past 3 years as well. We were discussing at are monthly meeting and some of the guys have put it down to people training on zwift instead of actually riding a bike, so they have the fitness to be fast but not the bike handling. Personally I have noticed that the guys who rode CX and XC over winter tend to be less accident prone than those who sit on zwift for months. I also think the raise of indoor training among the common cyclists has made people faster than ever, as Cat D club races are nearly as fast as Cat2 races 8 or so years ago, so more speed means more injuries and more crashes. Obviously pros are a totally different level all together but the above could still be a factor.

[@WerdnaLiten]

Yeah, I think that is becoming more relevant; riders being fitter, faster than ever, but the skills haven't kept up.....

[@jeffschmid2538]

Relevant point.....however, explain how Wout, Remco, Jonas, and Primoz crashed out? Some of the best handlers in the sport listed there.

[@TheRst2001]

I cycle off road , bridle Lane stuff , and indoor cycle , and it definitely takes riding a couple of times a week outdoors to get my confidence up

[@jamesjordan3382]

This is the reason I am avoiding fondos. To many riders with zero bunch skills but are strong.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Hmm, perhaps a couple of (mandatory?) early season non-race bunch rides for everyone to blow out the winter cobwebs? Also an opportunity for club members to reconnect socially.

[@Stirling1989]

The reason MVDP isn’t involved in crashes is because he’s 2 mins ahead of the action in the peloton

[@gerrymcbride6429]

Remember the world champs

[@ehuremovic526]

@@gerrymcbride6429 And the MTB world champs!

[@gcn]

Very true! At races like Roubaix it can be safer to be solo 💨

[@belgianguitarist7503]

Same tactics here... 2 mins behind

[@Albatrossamongus]

Audio is wonderful this week, whole production just seems way, way, better... somehow. :)

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! We're always looking to improve 🙌

[@YippeeSkippie426]

@@gcn - Using an overhead, now? It doesn't sound like a 416. Rode?

[@Lumi-oz6nd]

The lack of mics is the greatest thing ever

[@adehooper6780]

Definitely 😀

[@garymmx]

Dan disagrees - his hell of the north t-shirt is clearly the best thing ever😂

[@SamuelLudden]

They could hang the mics above them. I like the podcast aesthetic, but I don't speak for everyone 😅

[@jagrutirathod]

It feels like we're back in the room with you! 😊

[@gcn]

Welcome back 🙌

[@matthewlewis2072]

The irony is that Paris-Roubaix was probably the least crashy in history. Yet on regular roads, no-one can seem to stay rubber side down

[@gcn]

There was certainly less crashes this year 👀 Why do you think that is?

[@glurpak]

@@gcn No rain and wet cobblestones like on Flanders.

[@cuebj]

No rain, race split to pieces earlier so fewer riders squeezing into the same rut, fatter tyres with lower pressures. By contrast, some other races have more riders squeezing into same piece of road as fewer riders dropped on normal roads

[@galenkehler]

​@@gcnstarted using oversized mics, and everyone starts crashing, the mics go away and the races become crash free... coincidence? 🤔🤔🤔

[@rnedisc]

@@gcn U-turns! Defenitely need more U-turns in races. (I'm half joking, I feel like it kinda ruined the shot into arenberg but if it's safer for riders I'm all for it.)

[@derickcastillo9083]

I like what Sepp Kuss said, "Maybe after this scare, people will give more space and more respect and race in a safer way."

[@cuebj]

No. They won't - beyond a race or two

[@D2traveller]

Two thoughts… 1. My own worst recent crash when I was hit by a rider who is mainly triathlete - lack of experience riding in a group? 2. Disks allow/encourage later braking - less margin for error

[@cuebj]

Could be a good point about disks. Also wider grippier tyres allow later braking

[@johnsowerby7182]

Agreed on discs. I'll also say that I feel that some riders on discs are way too heavy on the pull, and end up over the bars, bringing down a bunch of people around them

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Thank you so much for ditching the distracting microphones!!! I can still hear you loud and clear with great definition!!

[@gcn]

We listened 🙌 Thanks for all the feedback, It's good to try new things

[@Jorgegamarram]

Bring the microphones back

[@paperxray]

Speed highly correlates to the severity of the injures. And the severity of injuries imo is what’s making it seem that crashes are more and worse than ever. The entire peloton could fail to clip out at a traffic light and all fall over, no one would be having the discussion is there’s more crashes lately.

[@hojetsala5178]

Ok that mental image made my day haha

[@simonwilton3546]

Interestingly I was once present when a you woman failed to clip out , fell sideways stationary and broke her forearm, 80 degree angle, bloody awful, fortunately I was cycling with a doctor!

[@gcn]

If the whole peloton fails to unclip and falls over at lights, we will certainly be talking about it! 🤣 You make a good point though, speed will have a big affect on crashes 💨

[@PedroLiguori-oy6mu]

we would solve that easily - remove the traffic lights from races ;)

[@cuebj]

Exactly. Recalling 'A' level physics from 1972. Kinetic energy = 0.5mv(2). From 50kph to 70 kph that's 2,500 : 4900 ratio - almost double the energy involved in an impact for 40% increase in velocity. And it is velocity, not simply speed. Velocity has a dimension of direction with mass providing inertia against turning. You can scrub speed by hitting brakes but there's still residual inertia pushing you forward or resisting turning. Oddly, my three worst crashes were at slow speed. Diesel patch on knobbly tar on the filter of what is now Royal Mint Court and East Smithfield at Tower Bridge took me straight down in a millisecond - painful and bloody! Testing how far I could lean and flip round a corner on a Look carbon fibre bike at Earls Court Cycle Show maybe 20 years ago - the little test track was on polished concrete. Again, went down in a millisecond and detached my shoulder blade - painful! 1989, just moved into new house, on bike, left house, turned right into next road, tiny sandy gravel like ball bearings, down in a millisecond - painful, still have scars on right elbow and rear gear hangar bent so had to change rear mech to one that bolted through the hanger rather than onto it (Simplex from Campag 980 and still have both mechs in a box)

[@Hill_Walker]

Accelerometers could be added to racers' bikes. When a crash is detected, a warning could be broadcast over the riders' radios.

[@ritchlongmire9071]

The bikes are faster, narrower, the riding position more aero, but less controlled. Yet the spacing in the peloton is unchanged at as tight as will fit on the road. More speed, less margin for error given the same space. Add in the race finishes in towns with ever more traffic furniture and it seems like a natural outcome to have more crashes.

[@gcn]

That's an interesting point! That will never change though, as each pro looks to sit in the wheels and stay sheltered

[@bettyjones8363]

Absolutely agree

[@cuebj]

Agreed. I've posted a few times over the years about the high seats and low bars both in races and on normal roads. Look at bikes in 1970s and 1980s - saddles not much higher than top of Cinelli 1A stems but we did have deep drop bars. Nobody rode anything like the flat back like they do now. Of course, Merckx had a back problem so he couldn't go deep low even if he wanted to. Too much of rider weight on the bars will have an effect on handling - steering and momentum - even riding solo, let along in a bunch hitting a corner at speed - see Caleb Ewan several times. There was a chap around here who looked like Chris Hoy on a track bike - clearly unsafe, even wobbly, on the roads and not as fast as he maybe thought he was

[@lwittrock1]

not having the mics ia better!

[@martynjoyce2431]

Sounds better and looks better.

[@hojetsala5178]

I feel like Dan deserves the waterbottle for that one

[@mrsmradoch9584]

Exactly... There cannot be said norhing funnier 😂

[@stephensharp975]

i raced as a second and first cat in the 80s and 90s and have just returned to doing a bit more cycling as my son has taken up the sport. I have noticed that there is less communication between the riders. Years ago as a spectator you could here the peloton coming some times before you saw them now i feel that they tend to be less communication going on. It could also be because my hearing is not as good as it used to be....

[@davidparry1982]

Loving the sound of Dan’s new series 👍❤️

[@SmolSnake]

1. Safer race courses (runouts on sharp corners, e.g.) 2. Smaller peloton 3. Stricter rules and/or harsher punishments of rider to rider interactions on course

[@sparx550]

Just to say a big thank you to all GCN. The GCN show is one those weekly gems I always look forward to.

[@oraszuletik]

Today I was waiting in the ER for my x-ray, after a bike crash, when I get the notification of this show. C'mon, don't be too actual!

[@gcn]

Hope you are ok

[@oraszuletik]

@@gcn Thanks. I broke my hand, so I'll go back to the trainer a'la Matthew Hayman

[@johnsowerby7182]

Yeah, didn't see this episode until today, as I sit here with road rash down my side and a broken elbow

[@borodoro3248]

Caption competition: when the family says their vacation plans don't include a four week altitude training camp

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Good main talking point. What strikes me is that just a few years ago, the peloton was going fast in a spearhead shape where more riders could see what‘s ahead. Now the peloton is going fast as a rectangular block and in sprint stages it‘s like two sports happening at once with the GC teams trying to get past the 3k mark and the sprinter teams doing their boxing match.

[@gcn]

There have always been those battles within battles during road racing, it's interesting that you feel it's getting bigger 👀 What can be done to make the sport safer?

[@taeblanco3694]

Does the increase follow the use of disc brakes? More confidence in braking quicker stopping times, less time to react for the group with a quick touch.

[@gcn]

Interesting! Have disc bakes made us worse bike handlers? 👀

[@cuebj]

@@gcn Possibly allow riders to be better when on their own, flipping around bends, changing speed and direction like a fly but... no so good in a group

[@martynjoyce2431]

@@gcn instinctively snatching the brakes could be more of a problem with discs?

[@karlcos]

Caption competition "Maybe 120g of carbs an hour was a bit much after all"

[@lh3071]

Surely the obvious solution is to limit chainring size, still keep the aero gains but make pushing downhill and on the flat less quick.

[@gcn]

That's not going to be a popular choice 👀

[@int6464]

Comment competition . What a comment from Dan 😂💪👍

[@jedisdad2265]

The crashes have been coming for a while. Sagan mentioned of the change in the pro peloton. He predicted that the increase of “impatience” and lack of respect was going to lead to bigger and more frequent crashes.

[@grobbosixtyone]

So the behaviour of today’s car drivers has transferred across to the pro-peloton

[@cuebj]

@@grobbosixtyone Yes. Good phrase. Also transferred to ebikes and escooters where I am. And to almost all riders of all demographics in the foot tunnels under Thames. Being 69, I have many less sprightly friends and family - they are more scared of bicycles than cars nowadays. Ten years ago, my son bought a car to drive from Woolwich to us in Beckton as the foot tunnel was unsafe for his pregnant wife to walk through the tunnel. Woolwich Tunnel wasn't always as scary as Greenwich but now it's sometimes terrifying.

[@Calsherpa243]

That's really interesting. I wonder if any other veteran tour riders have things to say about the culture within the peloton leading to unsafe racing. Maybe with all these crashes the riders will take it upon themselves to revive a sort of sportsmanship or "gentleman's agreement" to race more safely in certain situations.

[@leratomawela]

Grateful that the mics are no more. I was confused and actually had to check whether this is an older episode.

[@ephemeralelement4665]

YES!!!! NO MICROPHONES!!!!

[@gcn]

The people have spoken 🤣

[@robertchaffer3959]

What happened to the giant, face covering, awkward looking microphones? Happy to see Si and Dan’s happy faces again. The sound seems as good as ever.And why didn’t they appear in any of the other shows. Perhaps the two oldest presenters have failing voices. Cheers guys. Keep up the great work. Loved the show for many years now.

[@paulbates4100]

Far better without the gigantic mics. Good job, ta!

[@gcn]

How about the audio this week? 🎧

[@paulbates4100]

@gcn absolutely fine for me ta.

[@ghowell13]

@gcn it's fine, but it's not as good a quality as the other mics. It's like people don't listen to other podcasts, and recognize the differences in better mics. The astetic everyone is used to, and y'alls always great tee shirts are great to see again.

[@marekczarnecki5388]

I'm listening to you both talk about, "Why are there so many crashes now?" Really simple answer. You. YOU. A week ago you were excitedly cycling the 'cobbled hell of the north' and, e.g. looking at a corner where a 10 m wide road drops down to a 2.5 m wide lane. And say, "Hi!" to volunteers repairing missing cobbles. And then you come on here and wail, "What has gone wrong?" You.

[@shahilj]

The lack of mics is the greatest thing ever.

[@whatwelearned]

Your life makes me sad

[@evancoleman1164]

Dan I am looking forward to your new series of videos. I am starting to be more focused on my health and fitness while still managing a family and nursing career. I very recently got my first road bike (Trek Domane), I’ve ridden mountain bikes for years). I hope you’ll provide me with some inspiration and tips. I’m over 50 and wanting to shed some weight, build endurance and strength.

[@TheRawvoice]

Road disc + race tires = lock up crashes. IYKYK. Ive been racing road since 1997. Ive never seen so many crashes in local races, bunches, training etc as now.

[@richardwilson1786]

Hi, watched this last weekend and then went for a ride... oh dear had an accident and broke collar bone again! Previously broken some 13 years ago and mostly held together with Mecanno! However turned 60 yesterday and drinking coffee and watching GCN videos to inspire and cheer me up!!! Thanks to all at GCN!!! ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏🖖😙

[@peterfranzjr.1190]

I'm just excited that Andrew "AJ" August got a shout out!! Rochester NY Represent!!!! 8:53

[@stevenfreeman7798]

Higher speed descents and later braking due to disc brakes if you look most crashes are when they loose the front!!. Until abs is developed it won't stop.

[@gcn]

Do you think ABS is coming to bikes?

[@stevenfreeman7798]

@gcn yes I think it has 2 its a sure fire way of preventing front wheel lock ups!!

[@happyharry7331]

I think it’s a combination of higher speeds, more riders surviving further into the race, most of all bikes have become stiffer, the slightest bump in a corner the bike jumps and loses grip

[@ebmike8]

Thanks for all you do GCN! By the way, the Pakgo EX looks amazing. That's something I have been searching for months now. I think that's my answer to my travel and cycle overseas goals. Cheers!

[@gcn]

Our pleasure!

[@tanisleach7829]

Something I was thinking since North America had a total solar eclipse yesterday (April 8th), is that Northern Spain is getting one on August 12, 2026, the Wednsday before a potential start date of the Vuelta (3rd Saturday in August has been popular recently), August 15th. It would be super cool if the Vuelta organizers started somewhere in the eclipse path, as another one won't pass through until at least 2200 that is timed close to when the grand tours happen. This way all the pre-race festivities will have an extra bit of spectacle with the total eclipse happening. Maybe a few tourists would check out the Vuelta since they're already in the area chasing the eclipse as well.

[@luukrutten1295]

Aethos style round tybe lightweight bikes 32-spoke alloy wheels with 30mm max rim depth. Minimum wheel weight 1450 grams. Handlebar to 'normal' fit widths 38-44cm depending on rider size. No more speedsuits but normal short and jerseys. And that is slower bikes done. 30mm tires allround. Peloton wil still average 43km/h on it no problem. Oh and maybe the UCI should put gearing restriction to 53-11 or equivalent ratios. Because with the current 10 tooths and massive 56 tooth chainrings, pedalling on descents makes it too dangerous. 80km/h and they are not spinning out.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

And don‘t forget the silly aero helmets. UCI regulation should be that a helmet has to look at least as cool as the Catlike helmets of the Cervélo Test Team.

[@cuebj]

Good points. 6-speed freewheels and the mechs of 1970s and 1980s meant you had to choose what gears to use for that day - and, unless it was flat with little wind, you would always have to make a compromise that led to spinning out of overworking uphill that left you more tired for the flats

[@blaze1148]

Great points !

[@F350powerstroke]

Dan, if you can, please talk about Heart Rate Recovery. How fast your heart rate returns to a resting rate after a hard workout. Also, what's going on with Manon and her zone 2 training? Haven't seen an updated video in weeks.

[@vasiliipopov416]

I'm afraid, Dan's comment on this week pic is unbeatable 😂

[@willpatzke6060]

Perhaps another avenue to prevent crashes is limiting external distractions for riders ... team radios would be a place to start. Have "dark zones" where radio silence is required other than emergencies when the course gets tougher so riders can focus.

[@larrylem3582]

More crashes? It's the adoption of disk brakes, I tell ya! hahaha

[@blaze1148]

It is _many factorial_ my friend.....although at the pro level with higher speeds it is more of a factor for sure.

[@HeyWattsUpCycling]

Dan that is a BRILLIANT idea to cap the team rider numbers, youd have to make certain there are no "partner teams" owned by the same rich investor where team xyz ends up basically just being a support solely for team zxy.

[@cuebj]

Just don't have more teams to keep the total number of riders the same.

[@01FozzyS]

Rejoice! The water bottles have arrived! Rejoice number 2: The mics are gone!!! 🤣

[@gcn]

Celebrations all around 🤣

[@sholehan]

20 years ago - IF you happen to pick up a 2 week old copy of l'equipe in the cafe you look back and read ' X, Y and Z were involved in crash 50km into stage 4'. Nowadays - Crash happens - multiple on board camera angles. Reels on instagram. Live streaming results updated. Facebook status of pro rider updated from back of ambo. GPX data on Strava. Cycling media live news stream updated instantly.... KZbin wrap up on the evening features multiple angles and analysis. Its not hard to see why people are asking ' are more crashes happening now?'

[@justinvandongen2824]

Caption comment: “When you mix cycling, adrenaline, and a dash of chaos, you get the post-race aftermath: a cyclist who looks like they just survived a wild Coke and Mentos experiment! 🚴‍♂️💥🥤”

[@chriscole4149]

Having narrow drop bars causes the peloton to be packed in even closer making less wiggle room for error.

[@gcn]

Interesting point! How much difference do you think aero positions are having on the peloton?

[@michaeldeluca4699]

Just a thought on crashes and the comment about narrow handlebars and less control for the bike. As a continuation from banning the puppy paws position and turning in brake leavers, the UCI could take another step further by limiting handlebar widths as a start to try and limit crashes. Not sure it would make a difference but could be a change that might have minimal pushback.

[@jayjo675]

Thank you for listening to feedback and removing those mics, sounds and looks so much better.

[@gcn]

We're always listening to the fans. We love moving forward but we want to do it in the right way. Great to hear you stuck with us 🙌

[@Mincher]

What about faster braking due to discs? That would further reduce time to react. 😅

[@violent_bebop9687]

Disc brakes have smaller brake surface, is that causing problems at the limit?

[@pippinc7113]

CX not counted in 'day of racing'. Actual races build reaction time. CX and MTB are fast paced for small bike adjustments = advantage to keep rubber side down.

[@gcn]

All that CX must of helped! You can certainly stop the off road racers at Roubaix 👀

[@bettyjones8363]

Well done Dan. Wishing you a fun filled experience in your journey to fitness

[@andygriffiths4910]

Non aero frames for road stages, still uci regulated but with a standard drag coefficient. Same for wheels..

[@songofyesterday]

Here’s my theory. They eat more carbs to go faster, and by the time there’s 20km left, the combo of mental and muscular fatigue to maintain that speed, plus possible carb crash from all the food, leads to more mistakes. Sports science has increased over the years but the human body takes centuries to evolve, it’s not like reaction time and dexterity has increased across the board in the peloton.

[@888jhs]

Sadly it is much more difficult to watch all these great races this year so hard to answer the question of more crashes! Bring back GCN+.

[@gcn]

We miss GCN+ too. We hope you are still finding a way to watch the racing though 👀

[@secretbrad9259]

It’s a great day! The mics have gone 🎉 so much more interaction. Great show as always!

[@gcn]

We listened and responded! We appreciate all the feedback we've had on the mics 🙌

[@DoNuT_1985]

Watching the discussion about safety, I really saw you covering each and every point I wanted to mention here in the comments and my arguments slipping away, but I think you've forgotten route choice and track safety. These routes sure are scouted and test-ridden but we still have corners where you slide of the road and end up in a concrete block just by the side of it - or you just make races 100% hillclimbs, that could work, too! Not saying they should do silly things like the Arenberg forest corner in every race but there is room for improvement.

[@gcn]

We can certainly make the sport a bit safer, route choice plays a big factor in this 👀

[@DoNuT_1985]

@@gcnI find it odd that every traffic sign gets padded but you can totally drop 100 feet off a mountain or a bridge when you misjudge a single corner on a descent.

[@slowturn5664]

#captioncompetition Dan is obviously this weeks winner. Such style and grace displayed in his quick-witted caption. Obviously with no preparation what so ever.

[@garymmx]

Love the zip tie hack. Speaking of things hitting the crank, my lace up shoes require the lace being tucked in to avoid the annoying noise.

[@danielv6954]

No mics, yaaay! Brings out your natural beauty;). Seriously, way better look, I like the T-Shirt Dan :). Very good cycling-metal combo ;)

[@skipwalker1954]

If Cillian is EVER successful at fixing the uploader, then who will be the brunt of all your jokes??? Back to Hank I guess.......

[@mattg-p997]

Pertaining to crashing, i was thinking about NASCAR and how there is limit to how much of a problem you can have with your car and still be allowed to race, so in cycling there could be increased incentives not to crash since you would be more likely to be pulled from the race instead of just getting a new bike resuming. Perhaps a no bike change rule? Or automatic DQ if you crash. I know it would be harsh but may be a new necessary understanding of the phrase“that’s just racing”.

[@DavidSanchez-rd6ix]

interesting...

[@lf1980]

I think something as simple as you can't draft cars. It blows my mind how you can crash, get a draft of your team car, then draft support cars. They aren't in the race. They aren't part of the race. No rider should be able to draft a car. Actually like your idea of no bike change for classics. They should go back to fully unsupported. Have people on the side of the road if needed, a medic car and commisere and cameras. Thats it. Make it a true classic. Heck even no radios. That said...what happens when you crash with a spectator?

[@Phillip-hq1bv]

Most crashes seem to happen in the peloton; restrict drafting to a single pace line or restrict the number of riders across the road (with further reductions for narrow road widths).

[@inz_uzi]

It took me 34:28 to finally notice that the huge mics disappeared! I guess I wouldn't get the scout's perceptivity batch 😂

[@gcn]

Ah-ha, so they weren't that obvious before after all!

[@JasonTrew2018]

Caption: "DOCTOR, I JUST GAVE BIRTH TO A BIKE" "Congrats, it's a Trek"

[@kokonanana1]

But it identifies as a Colnago!!!

[@bettyjones8363]

Actually Arkea have Bianchi bikes

[@MiguelAugusto1982]

Here's what (free) ChatGPT had to say about it: "Reducing crashes in professional cycling races requires a multi-faceted approach addressing various factors contributing to accidents. Here are some plausible solutions: 1. **Improved Infrastructure and Course Design:** - Ensuring race routes are designed with safety in mind, avoiding hazardous road conditions, tight corners, and dangerous descents. - Implementing better road surface maintenance to minimize risks of crashes due to potholes, uneven surfaces, or debris. 2. **Safety Regulations and Enforcement:** - Enforcing strict regulations regarding race conduct, such as penalizing dangerous riding behaviors like sudden swerving or blocking. - Implementing stricter controls on the use of certain equipment or tactics that may increase crash risk, such as disc brakes or overly aggressive riding styles. 3. **Rider Education and Training:** - Providing comprehensive safety training for riders, including techniques for safe descending, group riding, and navigating challenging road conditions. - Emphasizing the importance of respecting fellow riders and adhering to race rules and regulations. 4. **Technology and Innovation:** - Incorporating advanced safety technologies into bicycles and equipment, such as collision detection systems or improved helmet designs. - Developing better communication systems between riders and race officials to quickly relay safety warnings or course updates. 5. **Medical Support and Emergency Preparedness:** - Ensuring adequate medical personnel and resources are available at races to promptly respond to accidents and provide necessary care. - Implementing protocols for quick and efficient evacuation of injured riders from the race course. 6. **Increased Focus on Rider Welfare:** - Prioritizing rider welfare over competitive pressure, including provisions for adequate rest periods, reduced race distances in extreme weather conditions, and regular health screenings. - Encouraging a culture of transparency where riders feel comfortable reporting unsafe conditions or concerns about their own well-being. 7. **Collaboration with Stakeholders:** - Collaboration between race organizers, teams, riders, and governing bodies to collectively address safety issues and implement effective solutions. - Soliciting feedback from riders and teams to identify specific areas for improvement and adapting race policies accordingly. By implementing a combination of these measures, it's possible to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crashes in professional cycling races, creating a safer environment for riders while maintaining the excitement and competitiveness of the sport."

[@dougpage2730]

Grabby disc brakes?!? Disc brakes’ modulation can vary if the rotors are cold or hot. IMO that variance and the ability to apply a lot of braking force with very little effort can make misjudgment a distinct possibility, especially when fatigue is present.

[@melibaut]

I've been enjoying listening to the show on Spotify and I'm constantly getting looks as I am always laughing! And then I want to see the visuals, so watch on KZbin as well!

[@alvarochan1829]

Soft contention walls for turns with angles below 120º. Slippery tarmac assessment. Signage. Control points with personnel. Some ideas.

[@JanneRasanen2]

@GCN KZbin Channel Peter Attia MD did a video about footwear and the specialist guest said that the highest correlation between muscle strength and life expectancy is toes. She said that toes are main helpers of balance so avoiding falling. I heard elsewhere that the most common serious injury for the elderly in Finland is falling at home and breaking the hip bones. In Finland the average life expectancy of the elderly with broken hips is only one year. I guess you cannot move and lose strength fast when you have a broken hip.

[@brunorodas79]

I think is because of the slick tires

[@juliansharples1319]

Take power meters, Garmins and radios of all pro riders to stop screen staring and verbal distractions. This would have a positive safety effect and go back to rim brakes as disc braking racers are braking later and harder into corners.

[@gcn]

It'll be hard to take numbers away now 👀

[@jamesdagamer]

Here is an idea for stopping the crashes- get rid of the pockets on jersey so that means they can’t go as hard because you would run out of energy 👍

[@blaze1148]

....and also stop the reaching back so being in _total_ control of bike more often.

[@cuebj]

On swimming. Our children did it with son a butterfly specialist. Far more serious training for children than cycling. Ours didn't do the ten sessions a week that the really serious ones did. Top swimmers have a body shape: long torso, short legs, long arms, big hands and feet, hyper flex ankles to get feet working like a diver's flippers, and be big, preferably really big as the 'aero' difference between a small person's head and shoulders is not much greater than for a big person's head and shoulders. No matter how much you train, you cannot exceed your body shape limitations whereas cycling has different types of event for different types of bodies. The hours of training give a feel for the water and efficiency that most of us can't match. One particular feature of swimming - it's far more sociable than cycling as you're with friends in a noisy environment while waiting for your (usually) short event. More sociable than football too - children turn up, coach rants at them, play match while parents rant at them, go home - barely any interaction socially at all and everyone is a rival for a place in the team. Granddaughter is loving Rugby Tots but, so far, doesn't like swimming, much to son's disappointment. The boys are autistic which might help with cycling (as in pre-boom era attitudes) but still too locked in to get them started. Also, because they live in relatively remote area, there's nowhere for children to ride with abandon

[@Stephen-nq5kd]

#captioncompetition: I know we promised a “GCN” water bottle but this will have to do.

[@wotexpat9367]

No Mics this week?

[@_Zane__]

Thankfully, I don't like the whole podcast look 😂

[@gcn]

Not this week, did you like the big mics?

[@Handletaken4]

A bike is ridden with balance. The balance is in your ear. Putting people 6'4" tall (Phinney) on a 54cm bike is insanity.

[@HipHipKareta]

Not the speed, it's the sudden stop.

[@cuebj]

As Jeremy Clarkson, quite reasonably said many years ago except that... a lot of bike crashes are from riders behind crashing into riders in front who slow, maybe imperceptibly, at a pinch point or going over a speed bump. Nobody stops until they land on the road, on another bike, in ditch, fly into tree, etc. It's rarely riding straight into a brick wall or a car coming the other way. Slight speed differential and pinch point putting too many moving bikes on same patch of road

[@christophercortes1524]

Dan’s caption is the best yet!!! 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@jetinajt]

UCI World Tour should be rebranded to Formula Eurobike. Everyone should use Eurobikes in basic specification. It will reduce both: speed and costs ;)

[@dtsybulskyi]

Also, give us mere mortals an actual comparison of our capabilities to the ones of the pros 😅

[@lf1980]

@@dtsybulskyi no dont lol...currently i think the only thing holding me back from being a pro is a 25k setup ;-) Dont ruin my delusion

[@gcn]

Hahahaha don't tell them about the magic of the eurobike shhhh 🤫

[@Karel-B]

To slow the peleton down, just outfit every bike with that Airhub front wheel that Andre Greipel used to promote to be able to cycle with his less fit/fast family members. Instant speed reduction.

[@mcorbett01]

Dan ‘cruising past van der Poel’ is something I’d love to see 😅

[@Horus-Lupercal]

The Keirin riders wear body armour funnily enough. Their uniforms look so clean and simple. Though, they also seem to allow elbow and shoulder bumping each other, so idk if they're the highest example of safety, lol.

[@peschez]

it is quite interesting that the same topic was huge in alpine skiing this winter, as there also had been crashes of many big names... is there something that can relate this? big changes in technic and equipment too there...

[@zoufmalade]

I think distraction can be a great factor of crashes. The UCI should have the riders do at least one event every season where head units and earphones are prohibited, with team cars reduced to minimum assistance. Then analyse the data, and see if it's beneficial or not. From a racing standpoint, it should be interesting, and from a safety perspective, we should have riders more focused on what's directly ahead of their eyes and wheels.

[@gcn]

hi! thanks for the comment. That would certainly bring a bit more spontaneity into racing!

[@piotrprzybyo8025]

Si's knowledge of animals is a testament to british schooling system:*

[@timbarlow5139]

#caption . "no thanks , i`ll wait for my GCN bottle".

[@danbatute2694]

Really like the sound of Dan's health and fitness plan, will be watching with interest. Due to noisy children I had the subtitles on, and was amused to see it translate part of it as follows: "Start dedicating 20 hours a week to beer on the bike again "

[@MrSJR39]

The modern peloton seems to be more tightly packed than “back in the day”. I recently watched a video of the 1989 Tour de France and the riders appeared to give each other more space, which probably resulted in fewer touched wheels and clashed handlebars. Perhaps the modern peloton just needs to spread out a bit!

[@donaldryder5534]

Thanks for removing the mics!

[@frankzijnsofa]

Take out the 12th sprocket. There is no reason to be able to go downhill at 80km an hour and still be able to pedal more.

[@leomaduro8661]

it's not only higher speed, but that combined with so many riders on the front row in dangerous descents. Then, somebody will be sucker who has to take the wrong line going in for the apex. Look back at the big crash in Bask country last week; one is losing grip and goes off the road, and a dozen more go off the road also instead of holding the corner...

[@blaze1148]

If you are descending in a fast Peleton around corners there are always going to be some riders not in the optimum riding line for those corners....ie no space to move.

[@SteevyTable]

Based on my wife's experience, for swimmers is mostly the fact that you never see the sun. 4am morning practice before the sun rises, and not getting home until it's pitch black and having to avoid coyotes or sleep in the car due to said coyotes.

[@seattlegrrlie]

I don't know, I think we just didn't care back in the day. Crashes and pile ups seemed to happen in every Tour.

[@gcn]

Perhaps there is just more reporting these days? The sport has grown and that is great to see 🙌

[@utube999ify]

Professional golf also limited head size and golf ball design to prevent pros from hitting balls too far and needing to increase course length to compensate. So working on bike design to slow peloton down would work

[@ajreycer3294]

Hawt Take! Increased Crash Cause: More indoor training which leads to less real road daily handling practice. Potential Solve: Fewer riders per team per race. Each person can still go at wicked speeds but with fewer teammates to pull through that will only last so long.

[@jonathanpurves2627]

I'd be interested to see the data on the number and gravity of incidents since disc brakes. The number of crashes involving locking up wheels seems likely to me. I'm not anti-disc before the avalanche of criticism begins!!!!