AIOCC responds to Il Lombardia rider protest and calls for standardised safety protocols

The race organisers' reaction comes after growing frustration within the peloton over safety standards following the death of Finlay Tarling at the Volta ao Portugal in August and a series of incidents in recent weeks at Italian races.

At the Coppa Bernocchi, a delivery van turned onto the route from a side street and spent some time behind the breakaway, while at Tre Valli Varesine, Pinarello-Q36.5 riders Marcel Camprubì and Thomas Gloag crashed after they were reportedly struck by a police motorcyclist travelling against the direction of the race.

On Saturday at Il Lombardia, the riders delayed the start by five minutes to draw attention to their concerns and the demonstration was organised by the riders themselves, separately from their union, the Cyclistes Professionnels Associês (CPA). 

Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) and Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) were among those who helped coordinate the initiative via a WhatsApp group that included one rider per team, while European champion Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) addressed the spectators on behalf of the peloton in Bergamo. 

In a carefully worded statement, AIOCC offered their solidarity but highlighted that safety is the responsibility for everyone in the sport. 

"Following the protests before the start of the Tour of Lombardy and Paris-Tours, the board of the International Association of Cycling Race Organisers (AIOCC) wishes to once again emphasise its strong and unwavering commitment to all issues concerning the safety of riders, team staff, teams, the race convoy and spectators,” said the AIOCC official statement. 

"The board regrets every accident and the sometimes tragic consequences that follow. The AIOCC and its 201 members have been fully committed to this for some time, both individually and collectively."

The AIOCC has asked the UCI and SafeR to implement two measures at short notice, including cooperation with authorities in countries hosting professional races to coordinate the operation of the race and road closure bubble, and the standardisation of signage and safety protocols across all professional events. 

The association has acknowledged the difficulties of improving safety on public roads not specifically designed for competition, and therefore it is essential to consider how organisers can be supported in implementing these measures.

"The specific nature of road cycling, with races taking place on public roads containing obstacles and street furniture that are not suitable for competitions, makes this a complex challenge. Every improvement requires a joint and constructive dialogue between the various stakeholders in our sport," AIOCC said. 

AIOCC expressed solidarity with the riders but regretted the fact that the demonstration took place without consultation beforehand between the race organiser and riders’ union.

"We understand the legitimate concerns of the riders and the risks inherent in their profession. We stand in solidarity with them, but at the same time regret that Saturday's protest took place without any prior consultation between the race organiser and the riders' unions,” AIOCC said.

“Only by working together in a calm and respectful manner can we make progress in the interests of, and out of love for, cycling."