Riders Protest Safety Concerns Before Il Lombardia Race

During the Il Lombardia race on Saturday, cyclists staged a five-minute protest to highlight safety concerns after a series of dangerous incidents involving vehicles on race courses. World champion Brandon McNulty and European champion Remco Evenepoel led the peloton in this rare demonstration of unity.

Evenepoel addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for action to prevent further tragedies, referencing the recent death of fellow cyclist Finlay Tarling due to a vehicle collision. The protest aimed to urge the UCI and race organizers to enhance course security and take responsibility for rider safety.

This protest follows several alarming incidents in Italy, including a DHL van entering the Coppa Bernocchi route and a police motorbike colliding with cyclists at Tre Valli Varesine. Despite the UCI's introduction of new safety measures, riders are calling for more immediate and effective actions to ensure their safety during races.