Several teams withdrew from the Étoile de Bessèges cycling race in France after a serious safety incident during the third stage on Friday. A car entered the race course and approached the peloton at a roundabout, prompting concerns among riders and teams.
One of the major teams to pull out was Ineos Grenadiers, which cited multiple incidents involving public vehicles entering the course. The team emphasized that rider and staff safety was the top priority and stated that its riders, along with others, had chosen not to continue the stage.
Other teams, including Soudal Quick-Step, Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Lidl Trek, EF Education-Easy Post, and Uno-X Mobility, also withdrew from the race. Paul Magnier, the overall leader, was part of Soudal Quick-Step, which expressed frustration over the safety breaches. The team issued a statement explaining that it found the situation unacceptable and would not rejoin the stage, prioritizing the well-being of its members.
The race continued with some remaining riders, but they later stopped in protest against the unsafe conditions. The decision to abandon the stage reflected a broader concern within professional cycling about course security and the risks posed by unauthorized vehicles entering race routes.
The incident has raised questions about the event’s organization and safety measures. Ensuring a fully controlled course is a fundamental aspect of race planning, and breaches like these can lead to dangerous situations for cyclists traveling at high speeds. Professional teams invest heavily in training and preparation, and any lapses in security can have serious consequences.
Cycling races often take place on open roads, which require extensive coordination with local authorities to ensure road closures and safe passage for competitors. The presence of public vehicles on a closed race route suggests either a failure in enforcement or miscommunication between race officials and traffic control authorities.
Instances of vehicles entering race courses have been an ongoing issue in professional cycling, occasionally resulting in severe crashes and injuries. With multiple teams pulling out in protest, there is likely to be increased scrutiny on race organizers to implement stricter safety protocols in future events.
This withdrawal from the Étoile de Bessèges underlines the collective stance of teams against racing in unsafe conditions. The situation may prompt discussions on improving security measures in road racing and ensuring that riders can compete without the threat of unexpected dangers on the course.
