(Image: http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2015/09/02/2/bettiniphoto_0220874_1_full_670.jpg)
I would put them down to unfortunate circumstances and one-off incidents, but crashes caused by vehicles in pro cycling races seem to be becoming more frequent. Looking further back, high profile incidents have included Jakob Fulgsang recently in the Tour de France (and very nearly Ryder Hesjedal from the previous group on the same climb), the Shimano service vehicles in the Tour of Flanders, and a moto crash into spectators at Paris-Roubaix, all occurring this year. Other infamous incidents include Nicki Sorensen being dragged along behind a moto in the Tour de France; and the Johnny Hoogerland/Juan Antonio Flecha incident with a French TV car and a barbed wire fence from 2011.
So, there is a problem. But now there needs to be a solution. So far, ASO, RCS, and Flanders Classics (the organising bodies of the afore-mentioned races) have kicked the drivers out of the race with a suggestion that they don't apply to drive in the races again. This solution was acceptable when they were isolated incidents. As these incidents become more prevalent however; it stands to reason that the incoming drivers will be inexperienced in navigating races. If a higher proportion of moto riders are inexperienced, the racing becomes more dangerous, and further incidents become more likely. This could end up being a vicious (and harmful) cycle. I don't see booting all offending pilots from the races as a decent long-term solution.
So what do I see as a decent long-term solution? Firstly, reducing the number of motorbikes that operate in the midst of the race. TV cameras are important, yes. Photography adds visual aid to the reports and draws interest, so at least one is necessary. I don't have a magic number (and it will vary race-to-race anyway), but I believe that the organisers of all races (especially the biggest on the calendar) need to review the quantity of motorbikes and cars in between the groups within the race. I can only assume that accreditation is paid for, but how many of the incidents like these can be classed as (in the words of the UCI fine issued to Peter Sagan) "behaviour which damages the image of cycling"? If the safety of the riders; and having the best riders remaining in the race to create spectacle is what the organisers want; they should review their policies to create fewer potential fast-moving hazards.
I'll admit, asking promoters to potentially reduce the money that they can make might be a bit optimistic. So I have a second idea to suggest - ensure that the moto pilots and car drivers understand how cyclists act (cornering, swinging off of the front, the swirling of the peloton etc.) and how races unfold. This can be done with extensive (and I mean extensive!) training for those who haven't been involved in cycling; or by using retired riders to pilot, after they have done sufficient training handling motorbikes. I've heard an anecdote from an Australian NRS race of a trained police motorcyclist impeding the race to a greater degree than the photographer's regular driver, who is a trained cyclist. Furthermore, it appears that professional team cars (generally driven by directeur sportifs who are retired professionals) have fewer collisions with the competitors as well; although that might also be due to them not often needing to move through groups. Drivers and pilots with a strong understanding of the race and the cycling environment may just create a safer environment for current cyclists by knowing when and how to stay out of the way.
In the meantime, I know that these suggestions certainly won't be taken into account this season, and possibly not at all; so I continue to wish for all cyclists' safety until something genuine is done to curb the occurrence of these incidents. Even in the current era (probably the best so far to be a professional), the safety of the cyclists seems to be a secondary priority. Personally, I don't find such a situation to be acceptable. Racers at all levels should be able to race without worrying about being knocked off by motorbikes. I hope for their sake that something changes and they won't need to consider it a possibility.
