CHAOTIC SCENES AT WEST BOHEMIA TOUR AS RIDERS DODGE ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON OPEN ROADS…
The West Bohemia Tour, an inaugural U23 stage race, was marked by chaotic scenes when riders encountered oncoming cars on roads that had not been properly closed off by the organizers. The race, set against the backdrop of playful hilly terrain and picturesque mountain scenery, took a dangerous turn due to a major oversight in traffic management.
After completing the mountain sprints in the first half of the stage, the fragmented peloton was making its way back to the start/finish city when a group of riders suddenly found themselves facing cars head-on.
Incredible scenes at the West Bohemia Tour, a 2.2 stage race for U23 riders.
No marshals closing off junctions. Oncoming traffic on the parcours. Luckily nobody was injured. Where is @UCI_cycling and @cpacycling, @HansenAdam in all of this? 😡
📹 Patrick Van Staeyen pic.twitter.com/9pTq7quleK
— Domestique (@Domestique___) August 24, 2024
Footage from a dash cam shows the moment when the sports director realized that something was wrong. As the riders approached a junction without any marshals to stop traffic, the director quickly warned the cyclists, repeatedly shouting “Stay on the right side of the road” in Dutch, fearing that vehicles might be ahead on the winding roads.
Unfortunately, moments later, their fears were confirmed as cars appeared on the open road. Thankfully, it was in an area where both the cyclists and drivers had enough space to avoid a collision. However, this close call highlighted a serious failure on the part of the organizers, and it is likely that the UCI will take action in response to this potentially fatal mistake.