Ruling body lambasted after time-trial carnage on Yorkshire roads
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has been criticised as “irresponsible” for allowing the Under-23 men’s time trial to go ahead at the Road Cycling Championships in Yorkshire after a number of riders narrowly avoided serious injury in spectacular crashes.
There were chaotic scenes on the 30.3-kilometre course between Ripon and Harrogate, where a number of riders crashed after heavy downpours created treacherous racing conditions. With huge puddles forming out on the course, some sections of road were almost unrideable. Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws after his ride, Belgium’s Ilan Van Wilder said: “It is super-dangerous and it is irresponsible to let it go ahead.” Wilder, who crashed before finishing 37th, added: “I started with the idea of following the fastest lines. I now see in the images that certain boys decided to just take the outside line, which is completely against the principles of time trial.”
Despite Wilder’s comments, Johan Price-pejtersen, who crashed spectacularly, having almost aquaplaned into a deep puddle before being propelled over his handlebars, told Telegraph Sport he felt “quite fine”. Unlike Van Wilder, Danish rider Price-pejtersen appeared reluctant to criticise organisers, instead saying the race should have been delayed. “They should have cancelled it for a bit, until at least the rain had stopped being so extreme,” he said.
Hungary’s Attila Valter had an even more horrific crash. After losing control of his bike, the 21-yearold hit the asphalt before skidding along on his backside for almost 30 metres.
Dane Mikkel Bjerg won gold ahead of United States pair Ian Garrison and Brandon Mcnulty, while Charlie Quarterman, was the highest-placed British rider in 14th.
In the women’s elite time trial, Chloe Dygert won a surprise gold for the United States, dethroning Annemiek van Vleuten, the Dutchwoman who finished third. Alice Barnes finished in 16th for Britain, while team-mate Hayley Simmonds ended up 26th.