Brailsford: It’s time for an F1-style safety probe
SIR DAVID BRAILSFORD has called for a safety review in cycling following Chris Froome’s horror accident. The Team Ineos principal thinks it is time to look at extra mea measures such as special Kevl Kevlar-based clothing to protect rider riders at the point of impact. Froo Froome suffered multiple injuries after hurtling into a brick wall whil while blowing his nose last week. ‘I think th when major incidents happ happen like this it makes you sit back and think about safety,’ said Brailsford. ‘It’s something we’r we’re going to take on board beca because you have to take risks in this sport to be able to race at the level required. ‘ ‘There are dangers associated with it, so we could look very ca carefully, not just as a team and our riders, but as a sport and see whether dangers could be minimised. ‘It I is an opportunity really to reflect and just think about it. Formula One has moved fo forward in the last 10 or 15 ye years, why shouldn’t cycling?’ Fo Four-time Tour de France win winner Froome is recovering at the t University Hospital of St Etienne after having a six-hour operation. He posted a picture of himself in bed with a thumbs-up and sent a message of thanks. He has said he will be back on a bike and Brailsford is convinced that Froome will not be retiring at the age of 34 despite his injuries. He fractured his right femur, and broke a hip, elbow, ribs and neck. ‘I think he will try to get back,’ Brailsford told BBC 5 Live’s
Sportsweek. ‘Who knows how this will impact on him, but I don’t think it will be a case of him saying, “Right, I’m satisfied now I’ll hang up my wheels and call it a day”. ‘He’s more likely to really work hard in rehab and push himself really hard. He’ll take the same approach to that as he does to his sport.’ Brailsford admits that Froome’s accident has hit the team hard but believes they will be even more motivated to win the Tour de France for their lead rider. ‘When something like that does happen, when it’s quite traumatic, then it’s a human reaction I think, so it would be no surprise at all,’ he added. ‘There’s been quite an outpouring of emotion afterwards and I’m sure that will continue into the Tour.’