Another life lost. Another reason to push for better safety

Another rider has died after a crash at Vuelta Ribeira Del Duero Junior. He didn’t get back up.

Once again, a rider, a young man, a life — gone on the side of the road.

How many deaths, injuries, and traumas will it take before we stop pretending everything is fine?

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If we’re going to talk about crashes — then let’s really talk about them.

Not just the ones that make headlines. Not just when a star rider goes down. Crashes happen everywhere. In training. In races. In every peloton. All the time. And yes, in the women’s peloton too.

But there, the story changes. People say: “Women crash more“ or ”The women’s peloton is more dangerous.”

Statements thrown around with no data, no real analysis, no context. Just that outdated idea that a woman on a bike is somehow “less skilled” or “less safe.”It’s not true. And frankly, it’s exhausting.

The truth? Women crash — just like men.

Because cycling is fast. Because it’s tight. Because it’s intense. Riders go 60 km/h, fight for space, take risks. That’s the sport. And the road doesn’t care who you are.

And when riders hit the ground, one word always comes up: concussion.

On paper, there’s a protocol.

In real life, it’s just wishful thinking.

When you crash, adrenaline takes over. Your brain shuts off. Your body goes into survival mode. You jump back on the bike.

And the doctor? Most of the time, they come too late.

Because the peloton doesn’t wait. And no one wants to lose their chance, their place, their race.

So let’s ask the real questions:

➡️ Who really protects the riders?

➡️ Who speaks up at the right time?

➡️ Who has the power to say stop?

The CPA, with Adam Hansen as president, is taking action.

They’re pushing for a penalty card system for dangerous moves — a step in the right direction.

Some safety reps are now present in the peloton. That’s a start. But it’s not enough.

We need to go further :

→ Educate : Make safety training mandatory for all riders. Via video call, at team camps — whatever works. But teach the right reflexes. The right behavior. You can’t just punish — you also have to educate.

→ Demand : Be stricter with race organizers. Urban finishes, dangerous street furniture, sprints after roundabouts or downhill — if a city can’t secure the course, it shouldn’t host a stage. Yes, we might lose a few host towns. But we’ll gain respect for human life.

→ Innovate : We talk endlessly about bikes. Handlebars. Tires. But never about race kits ! We ride in bib shorts and jerseys — basically the equivalent of underwear.

Why hasn’t anything better been developed? In horse riding and motorbiking, they use airbag vests. Why not in cycling? A lightweight, temperature-regulating airbag, built into the jersey — that’s not science fiction. That’s a real idea. And it’s time to take it seriously. We went to the Moon, didn’t we? So surely we can design better protection for pro cyclists. Engineers are capable. We just need the will. And proper investment in research and development.

Finally, there’s this “fake” debate: “What if we slowed down the bikes?” No. Personally, I don’t believe in that. Bikes today are better than ever. Brakes are stronger. Frames more stable. Tires wider. We’ve never had this much control. The problem isn’t the speed. It’s the behavior.

What we tolerate. What we normalize. What we avoid facing.

Speaking up. Protecting. These are not enemies of sport. They’re what give it a sustainable future.

RIP Ivan. 🤍