Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026, monument, April 5 (men's)

[Armchair Cyclist]

Embarassing decision from the organizers

How so?

2.3.035 The following rules shall apply:
1. One or more riders who have broken away from the field are held up at a level
crossing but the gates open before the field catches up. No action shall be taken
and the closed level crossing shall be considered a mere race incident;
2. One or more riders with more than 30 seconds' lead on the field are held up at
a level crossing and the rest of the field catches up while the gates are still
closed. In this case the race shall be neutralised and restarted with the same
gaps, once the official vehicles preceding the race have passed;
If the lead is less than 30 seconds, the closed level crossing shall be considered
a mere race incident;
3. If one or more leading riders make it over the crossing before the gates shut
and the remainder of the riders are held up, no action shall be taken and the
closed level crossing shall be considered a race incident;
4. If a group of riders is split into two groups following the closure of a level
crossing, the first group will be slowed down or stopped in order to allow the
delayed riders to return to the first group

 

[fenns]

Accurate application of the rules. What do you think they did wrong?

Not checking there was a train coming. Really easy to find this out. Seems the organizers were surprised there was a railway crossing on the route. Sheer incompetence.

 

[canina82]

And they really didn't stop the break for 2 mins?
I know they don't stand a chance but I was told sports are supposed to be fair?

It's the rule.

 

[canina82]

How so?

Armchair, I know I am wrong. I didn't know the rule.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Maybe have some idea that a train was coming - or checked. Did they build the railway line this morning so the officials didn't know there was a level crossing? Real amateur hour stuff.

I mean that's what the bloody lights are for mate. They had sufficient time to stop but decided to be idiots...
Also they can't stop all the trains in the country during the race, that doesn't happen anywhere, if there was a faster start they could have interfered with another train, if it was a slower race perhaps with a latter train...

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

And they really didn't stop the break for 2 mins?
I know they don't stand a chance but I was told sports are supposed to be fair?

No: they applied the rules of the sport instead.

 

[Red Rick]

I mean that's what the bloody lights are for mate. They had sufficient time to stop but decided to be idiots...
Also they can't stop all the trains in the country during the race, that doesn't happen anywhere, if there was a faster start they could have interfered with another train, if it was a slower race perhaps with a latter train...

It's all extra funny when you consider how much riders complain about safety.

 

[Rou]

It's the rule.

What rule?
I have seen in multiple races breakaways being stopped in such situations.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Not checking there was a train coming. Really easy to find this out. Seems the organizers were surprised there was a railway crossing on the route. Sheer incompetence.

They can't predict the tempo of the race, Belgium is a small dense country with lots of train tracks...
They can't and won't cripple the public transport for a bike race..

 

[Rou]

No: they applied the rules of the sport instead.

Please elaborate this rule.

 

[yaf2]

And they really didn't stop the break for 2 mins?
I know they don't stand a chance but I was told sports are supposed to be fair?

This could easily get to 8 mins if it’s only bjerg which will affect the race massively, especially for the ones who are riding for a top 10 or top 20 result. It’s totally unfair

 

[Salvarani]

I mean that's what the bloody lights are for mate. They had sufficient time to stop but decided to be idiots...
Also they can't stop all the trains in the country during the race, that doesn't happen anywhere, if there was a faster start they could have interfered with another train, if it was a slower race perhaps with a latter train...

Or just passed with no problem, if no train coming while they were there.

Cant plan for it really.

It is just a possibility something like this can happen if you have to pass a crossing like this during the race. Most times nothing happens, but this time it did.

 

[canina82]

This could easily get to 8 mins if it’s only bjerg which will affect the race massively, especially for the ones who are riding for a top 10 or top 20 result. It’s totally unfair

They can simply help UAE.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Or just passed with no problem, if no train coming while they were there.

Cant plan for it really.

It is just a possibility something like this can happen if you have to pass a crossing like this during the race. Most times nothing happens, but this time it did.

Finally, someone with common sense

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Please elaborate this rule.

I have already quoted it above. Clause 3 applies.


Clauses 1 & 2 are a bit daft though: If the break is held up, but the peloton doesn't catch up, it's just hard luck for the break: if the peloton reaches the crossing before the gates open, the break get their gap back. So the peloton will presumably go very slowly to avoid quite getting there.

 

[dazaau]

You can't complain about neutralising the race. I understand UAE's criticism that the breakaway gets to ride on while everyone else has to wait up.

It's not like we don't all know that if the train had stopped the breakaway they would give them the time back.

But it will not matter in the end.

 

[Tim Cahill]

If the break would've had to stop for the train then they wouldn't've got the time back, works both ways, you win some and lose some unfortunately. Perhaps they can look at it and try and legislate for both outcomes, but I don't know the logistics.

 

[fenns]

They can't predict the tempo of the race, Belgium is a small dense country with lots of train tracks...
They can't and won't cripple the public transport for a bike race..

they can close roads. not suggesting trains be stopped but doesn't seem much to ask to keep an any railway activity. real amateur hour.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

a new Mongolian holiday is coming up...

 

[canina82]

You can't complain about neutralising the race. I understand UAE's criticism that the breakaway gets to ride on while everyone else has to wait up.

It's not like we don't all know that if the train had stopped the breakaway they would give them the time back.

But it will not matter in the end.

It changes race dynamics. Dillier can help MVP later in the race.

 

[dazaau]

If the break would've had to stop for the train then they wouldn't've got the time back, works both ways, you win some and lose some unfortunately. Perhaps they can look at it and try and legislate for both outcomes, but I don't know the logistics.

Yes, they would have. I believe that's usually how it works.

 

[Salvarani]

If the break would've had to stop for the train then they wouldn't've got the time back, works both ways, you win some and lose some unfortunately.

I cant remember when, but I think I have seen something like that happen.

Break having to stop and they stopping the peloton for a bit later.

As I am writing. Didnt it happen at worlds? Glasgow.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Yes, they would have. I believe that's usually how it works.

Yes my bad just looked, was thinking of it being fewer riders/time

Was looking at this part

"3. If one of more leading riders make it over the crossing before the gates shut and the remainder of the riders are held up, no action shall be taken and the closed level crossing shall be considered a race incident'"

 

[Dazed and Confused]

they can close roads. not suggesting trains be stopped but doesn't seem much to ask to keep an any railway activity. real amateur hour.

meh....

 

[KoopaCycling]

No one will get kicked or penalised as a result of the train crossing, so it will do little in regards to the race.
The UAE domestiques will have to ride a little harder but that's it. Not like this will cause them any problems.