Crashes, what can be done?

[Izzyeviel]

They have to narrow the width of the motorcycles, so they don't ride into riders, like what happened to Nicole Steinmetz in France yesterday.

From her insta

One moment you can be at the front of the race having a wonderful day, ready to fight for a podium, and the next, you can be pinned under a motorcycle. I didn’t think the people who are supposed to make the race course safe would end up being so reckless as to run over a racer, but I am alive to tell the tale. While we were in a single file line going up one of the critical climbs about 100k into stage 3 of Tour des Pyrenees, a moto decided to squeeze between our line and the side of the road. He lost control, grabbed the accelerator instead of the brakes, and completely ran me over. The motorcycle ended up collapsing on top of me, pinning me under with my bike. I’m left with a ruined race, messed up knee, and bruises everywhere. It could have been much worse, but I don’t think this should be a thing racers should ever have to worry about. We need to address reckless motos in the pro peloton. The focus should not be on sock length or handlebar width…it should be on maximizing rider safety.

 

[Oldman]

From her insta

They need to reduce the unnecessary press motos, for starters. Drones provide a better perspective for photos and broadcast. Commissars wouldn't need to be near the front as much, either. Having a shared feed for team cars could reduce some traffic there but you need quick response to mechanical problems.

The guys in the Tour are seriously good. Watched patrolling an u-23 race in the Alps that were previews for the Tour route. No crowds to interfere, though.