Should Theo Bos be suspended for this?

[davestoller]

I find it hard to believe folks are posting on what they think Bos' intent was from watching a video.

THe only way to know his intent is from inside his head or if he ws yelling at the time to suggest what he was thinking.

All we have is a video of him putting his hand on another rider, grabbing the rider's jersey, and the rider going down hard in a way that makes it seem obvious that he was pulled down.

Verdict?

In clear violation of rules. DQ and suspension to follow.
Elbows and leaning in a tight sprint are one thing.
Slinging a teammate another.
THis is out of control.

Why in the heck are folks defending him? Just because Armstrong twittered?
Forget it. The video was already all over the web and in emails way before Arsmtrong metnioned it.

 

[Captain Serious]

I don't think you can see it properly by just looking at the youtube video, you need to look at this one as well:

http://picasaweb.google.de/hokmann/ExportierteVideos#5326486090944553314

If you look closely, you can see that just as Bos starts pulling Impey in front of him, he starts hitting the barriers (they start moving). He keeps pushing Impey further in front of him, but goes down just as he should have let go of Impey. Then he keeps holding on to Impey (by reflex or simply because he forgets to let go), which results in the big pull leftward.
.

Spot on! Although, it looks to me like he intially tried to give him a little touch (rather than a pull -- as happens in the peloton a million times in a race), to either move him a bit or let him know he was coming up the inside. As Bos started crashing into the barrier, for some reason he kept hanging on to his jersey -- it's not easy to make long and considered decisions when you're crashing.

And I'm not surprised you felt the need to register just to rebutt some of the crap on this thread. Some people on here must have cognitive problems! To suggest that Bos deliberately and maliciously (and with some measure of forethought) grabbed his jersey tp drag him to the ground is some of the dumbest stuff I've seen of a cycling forum. Although, 'irregardless', Bos still make a big boo boo

 

[The 'Burnian]

Time for me to wade in. When I first saw the video, I was positive it was nothing short of dirty, underhanded riding, and I was baying for TB's blood. With a bit of a cool down, I'm now of the opinion it was Bos f**king up royally, even though he had better intentions, racing line, racing rules, et al. He should do some sort of 'time for the crime', and not get off lightly for what has occurred, but WOW, what a crash. The barrier alignment thing should be looked at IMHO, as well.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Having watched it another 20 times or so, and read Bos comments, I'm all but convinced he didn't do this out of malice, but used incredibly poor judgment and made an incredibly stupid mistake.

However, I am still convinced he should be suspended for gross negligence, and dangerous riding. How long, I'll leave up to someone else.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Here's Impey crossing the finish line in a neck brace and his face all bloodied.

He's now officially out of the Giro, and it's unknown even how well he'll heal, let alone when he'll race again.

 

[LC - Cyclingnews]

Suspension isn't necessary

I've been fascinated by all the responses to this incident - some of which are a little short-sighted and not based on much experience.

Theo is a multiple world champion with an impeccable temperament and professional racing smarts. You can't ride against Sir Chris Hoy and challenge him if you don't. This incident was the result of a number of factors aligning for a bad result.

I agree with Captain Serious that it wasn't a deliberate or malicious act, so those posts calling for a big ban are really unjustified. And I also agree with Aapjes - "In short, I think that Bos actually tried to save Impey from a crash, but accidentially made it much worse instead."

If you freeze the footage and go through it frame by frame you'll see that Theo was about to straighten his arm, hence pushing Impey away from the barriers and a possible accident, when Theo himself caught the foot of a barrier.

Impey freaked out, his front wheel washed out and he fell. It had been a very messy, nervous sprint, so self-preservation was the order of the day, which is what Bos was trying to achieve. If you read Theo's statement, the description I've written above concurs with what he has said.

Robbie McEwen's comments are apt for the situation - a month on the sidelines at most, just to let Bos know that he had a part to play in the accident. I'm sure Theo would accept that.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

If you read Theo's statement, the description I've written above concurs with what he has said.

Except it contradicts what Impey says. Darryl says he didn't panic at all, and was riding fine until Bos pulled him down from behind.

 

[purplehays]

Well, Bos should definately be punished. No doubt there. The move was completely boneheaded and ,obviously, extremely dangerous. Personally, I don't see how the grab could ever work unless, maybe, you are a pretty small rider grabbing onto a very big and strong rider. (Think Contador grabbing Boonen, or something like that). However, I just can't believe he intended to take Impey down intentionally. I think he just reacted to the oncoming barriers and tried to keep himself upright. The race leader was just the unlucky ******* who he was next to. I think the same thing would have happened no matter who who was riding next to Bos.

 

[gregod]

it looks like bos grabbed his jersey

it is hard to tell from the youtube video, but it sure looks like bos grabbed a handful of impey's jersey, from the way impey spun around into a crash.

if so, bos should go for at least the rest of the year.

 

[pkmcglynn]

Intolerable

Theo Bos showed blatant disregard for Impey, the other riders in the field, and himself, when he, presumably in a fit of rage, grabbed onto Impey's jersey and slung him into the barriers. Bos's behavior was reckless and imperiled the safety of many. I think Bos should be suspended for two years; make an example out of him.

 

[willem]

I know the afrikaners think they're superior race and above NE1 else! Theo Bos probably had to hold on to Impey because he was being pushed by the almighty PISKOP afrikaner

 

[Anonymous]

Theo Bos, 20 Apr 2009 (transl.: tedvdw)

This is really making me sick

The reactions to the crash in the Tour of Turkey are no laughing matter. On Youtube you can see how I seem to intentionally cause a crash. Even Lance Armstrong makes it known that I should be suspended for a long time. A reaction which I fully understand after seeing the images and hearing the accompanying commentary.

Of course I also watched them myself, over and over. It is difficult to see in the view from above, it seems as though I pull him off his bike. However, I am completely boxed in there while being pushed into the barriers on the left and, as a reflex, the one thing I do is to make an ultimate attempt trying to keep him away from me. At that moment the only option, precisely to prevent the crash. I think I then hit a barrier foot with my front wheel and go crashing down immediately, together with Impey.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I would never intentionally take the risk to cause a crash this way. Why should I: I take myself out as well. For years I have been a track sprinter at the highest level. Keirin is notorious for its pushing and pulling, the taking of risks. But do note: in those circles I am not known as a sprinter who takes extreme risks. In Japan this even earned me my nickname. It is not in my character. This is really making me sick.

For my transition from the track to the road I deliberately chose Rabobank's continental team. To learn the trade out of the limelight. I am not looking forward to being known for this. Naturally, I also told my story to Barloworld. I really feel sorry for Impey and have indicated to the team that I would like to discuss it with him, to tell my side of things. I have no reason to walk away from him but understand that he is angry.

I feel like **** for having become headline news in this way. As a sportsman, I want to show that I am a different man. This is bugging me. I hope that there is more footage. Perhaps those videos can be viewed side by side and analysed frame by frame. I would give everything to prove that this was not my fault. It was never my intention. Not even in the heat of the battle. I will have to convince everyone that I win my sprints differently. I love this sport. Sport is on the cutting edge. Fair play is part of that in every way. It is never worth going beyond that!

translation from http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/4/20/846317/theo-bos-this-is-really-making-me

 

[rhalim]

Theo Bos, 20 Apr 2009 (transl.: tedvdw)




translation from http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/4/20/846317/theo-bos-this-is-really-making-me

What a bonehead! Any sane person will know that your hands do not leave the handle bars in a sprint finish! I hope and pray that you get a 2 year suspension for you bad conduct! Daryl could have picked up serious injuries.....

 

[schlunzi]

amazing to read these opinions: clear to me that many forum members never have been IN a bunch sprint... they would react differently. clearly most of you display what is a symptom of today's media world: a blurry video and a quick reaction on a forum counts more than the word of recognized world champion and experience. what a sick way to react! some of you should be banned out of forums for 2 years, just as an example.

i feel sorry for impey: this should not have happened, but it did. shows that cycling is a dangerous sport and that still these accidents happen rarely. hope he recovers quickly!

for theo bos i hope he will not read forums and get on with it! he is a great asset to our sport and a great personality too.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Like I previously posted, I don't believe he acted in malice, but gross negligence.

But one thing that's been mentioned a few times now is that it's Bos own fault he rode himself into that position. LC commented that some people are not posting from the knowledge of experience. Well, I raced long ago. I wasn't very good and never got far as an amateur, but I did race for a couple of seasons. The one thing you are always trying to do is read the motion of the riders around and ahead of you in relation to the course. This is a perpetual thing, with constant subtle shifting to maintain position and safely do so at high speed.

Watching the clip and reading Bos comments makes me think that he failed to do this. Most of all he didn't look far enough ahead to see the barriers not lined up evenly. But he also didn't look up and to his right to see the line Impey was taking, or that some of the riders in front of Impey were soft pedaling or freewheeling, which would case compression of riders in front of him. And as a result when this happened, he rode himself into a slot off Impey's flank that was rapidly closing, leaving him nowhere to go. His reaction was not to sit up, or lean over towards Impey, or touch the brakes (which can cause crashes behind as well), but to put his hand up to either let Impey know he was there, or push him away - in itself a gross mistake that would disrupt Impey's motion, and potentially cause a ripple around him. But this left him Bos no options, as controlling a bike at that speed is very difficult with one hand.

Bos has no one to blame for this accident but himself. He can't blame Impey who had no idea Bos was riding into a dangerous spot on the course behind him and out of his vision. He can't fully blame the course marshals for lining up the barriers poorly, for Bos was the only one who crashed as a result of them - everyone else had enough wisdom to take that into consideration. He can't blame those ahead of Impey or to Impey's right. Those riders all used good judgment in seeing the shifting in the riders movement and speeds in front of them keeping themselves safely in position.

He can apologize to Impey, which would be nice, but at some point he's going to have to accept the fact that he is the one who made terrible decisions in both his position, and in keeping his hand up on Impey and maintaining his grip on Impey's jersey once he had a hold of it, which is what caused Impey to crash as horribly as he did.

 

[Dio1082]

Hmm,

I always love how people on forums can come to decisions based on very little evidence...

Look guys, we only saw a little bit of this crash, coming up from the bottom of the screen. We also only saw it from one angle (above). Yet many of you are ready to form a lynching party on that basis.

Do you really think that this crash was deliberately engineered when both parties were guaranteed to crash

The race officials studied the same footage and presumably had the opportunity to speak to the participants along with any witnesses. (Something none of us had the opportunity to do). They appear not to have thought that this was anything other than an accident and that no further action need be taken.

Now who is more likely to be right? The guys with years of experience of refereeing races and who were actually there or us on this forum who have neither the experience nor who were there but only watched it on tv. Personally, it's no contest and I'll go with the former...

Btw had to laugh at Armstrong's comment "...He deserves a long suspension...". One might think given his current trouble that he would think it prudent not to mention the word "suspension" but apparantly not

Little evidence? You can see the guy's entire torso engage in action to throw the grabbed rider. What other evidence do you need? I don't care what his grand intentions or emotions were, but he tossed a rider.

How about this? I showed this video to my roommate who's practiced Judo for almost two decades. He agrees: the video shows a tossing action. How could anyone miss this? It befuddles.

 

[BroDeal]

Little evidence? You can see the guy's entire torso engage in action to throw the grabbed rider. What other evidence do you need? I don't care what his grand intentions or emotions were, but he tossed a rider.

Which is says nothing unless you know what his intent was. Panic or stupidity can explain a lot in life. Sure it looks bad, but would panic or unintentionally dragging someone down in a crash look any different?

Unless someone can come up with a motive, I am changing my opinion of the incident to momentary and unintentional stupidity.

How about this? I showed this video to my roommate who's practiced Judo for almost two decades. He agrees: the video shows a tossing action. How could anyone miss this? It befuddles.

There is nothing like a judo expert to tell people what was going on in a cycling crash.

 

[fietsx]

Be rational

Bos is not in a position to win, would he risk this to avoid another guy from finishing?
If Bos wants to just take the guy down, would he do it this way?

I think Bos found himself blocked in and made the wrong decision trying to keep his balance by putting his hand on the shoulder of the guy next to him.

Don't forget, a track sprinter like Bos is more likely to try to regain his balance than using his brakes (since on the track he has no brakes and he will have to use his balance as the only means to avoid a crash).

Just my $0.01

Anyway, the spring was a chaos because of lack of one team leading out, this looked like an amateur's race last 5km.

 

[msjett]

So its being called an accident, either way it looked pretty damn nasty. Even though there is a lot of jostling in the peleton, this accident is a little unusal, to my eyes it looks like he throws Impey.

Maybe it was stupidity, lack of experience or a million other reasons, but I am sure there are a lot of riders out there who will give Bos a wide berth when riding with him after this.

 

[brazilian]

Ban BOS!

What he did to Impey is rediculous and he should have a LONG BAN, and an example made. We dont want riders doing things like that to other professionals.

 

[TRDean]

WOW...I gotta add my 2 cents here as it seems everyone else is doing the same. First of all, I have raced in Europe, been in bunch sprints, and know a little about the process. In this instance they were not in the sprint. Taking your hands off you bars to let a rider know your position here is perfectly acceptable. Once again, this was not in the actual sprint!! Second, this was a nasty crash. I do not believe that Bos did this with mal intentions. I think an appropriate course of action would be a month suspension and let it go. Also, I am not sure, but I do believe Bos would have some experience in criterium racing and sprinting. This guy is a very good rider and a great bicycle handler. To act like he is some sort of cat 5 hack out there is rediculous. Insinuating that he acted out of some sort of rage is rediculous. Lastly, and just my opinion, I think Lance Armstrong should shut his mouth!! As least McEwen recanted and said he thought it was not intentional.

Lastly, and most importantly in my opinion, is that every season we see terrible crashes in sprints as the riders get pushed into the barriers. This happens to a lot of the best sprinters...not just Bos. Heck Hushovd and McEwen keep getting hit by fans they are so close to the barriers. This needs to be addressed and remedied or we will continue to see accidents involving the barriers.

 

[Esosus]

Bos Judo Chuck

Bos looks like he has done a bit too much Judo!!

It appears that he needed to take evasive action to miss the railing and therefore flung whatever was closest (Impey) across his bough in order to break his fall.

The most reckless piece of riding I have ever seen and probably not premeditated.

If I was Impey I'd definitely press charges for assault, even if it was spur of the moment.

The fact that the UCI has not acted on this as yet is yet again indicative of their general incompetence.

Bos should be banned for the rest of the year and reimburse Impey for lost earnings. It will have stuffed up his year.

 

[Animal]

What have "intentions" got to do with it?

Was Bos in conscious control of his body when he grabbed Impey and tossed him into the barrier?

If he wasn't having some sort of a seizure, then how can it be anything other than intentional?

 

[Pietro]

I personally feel so.

(skip to 3:43 into the video to see it. Darril Impey had to "finish" while being pushed by his team, wearing a neck brace. Thanks to soda for the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoEd0w-BmfI

Discuss.

Lifetime ban plus criminal charges.

 

[Argon Man]

Anyone who has been in a bunch sprint knows that you can't go anywhere near the brakes or you bring everyone down, Bos was clearly trying to position Impey into a gap and it all went pear shaped halfway through and he ended up dragging him into the fence.. He stuffed up and should cop a penalty for this. There is no need for persecution, there is no harsher judge than your own conscience.