After Van der Poel, Pogacar also makes it clear about safety: "Problem lies with the riders, we keep going faster and faster"

A few days before Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel addressed the issue of safety in cycling. Similarly, a few days before Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tadej Pogacar, another prominent figure in the sport, voiced his concerns on the same topic, which remains one of the most discussed issues in cycling circles. IDLProCycling.com was present during these discussions.

Let's briefly recall MVDP's remarks regarding a recent horror crash at the Tour of the Basque Country, where he emphasized the importance of safety in cycling races. "The most dangerous aspect of cycling is the riders themselves," the world champion stated. "We take risks, and that's the main problem. Everyone wants to be at the front simultaneously, but that's not always feasible. While we can attempt various strategies to mitigate the risks, completely eliminating danger is not easily achievable."

Pogacar on horror crashes in peloton

Pogacar, a fellow world-class rider and close comrade of Van der Poel's, echoed similar sentiments. "I witnessed two of the most horrific crashes in recent weeks, watching them unfold on television," began the analysis on safety by the UAE Team Emirates Slovenian. "Such accidents are truly dreadful. Riders sliding down hard and staying down—it's a harrowing sight. Naturally, you hope they receive prompt assistance and can quickly get back on their feet."

Pogacar then shared his belief that the riders themselves are the "main problem." "There's very little one can do about it. These incidents occur rapidly and will continue to do so in the future. It's inevitable. Cycling is inherently risky, as I believe everyone is aware. We're getting faster every year, partly due to advancements in equipment. Additionally, we're constantly pushing the limits of our bikes and our bodies."

Just like Van der Poel, Pogacar places responsibility for crashes on riders themselves

"Of course, we can't explore everything," the 25-year-old all-rounder continued. "But with online maps like Google Earth or Google Maps, you can already see a lot. It's like a kind of StreetView. However, this is very different from knowing the roads really well. In every descent, ascent, or whatever, the pace keeps getting faster. Fatigue sets in, and a crash can happen very quickly. I see a lot of guys blaming organizations, but very often it's because of the riders themselves—too much risk, too much speed, and the crash is inevitable.

In 2021, Pogacar triumphed in La Doyenne, while in 2022 and 2023, Remco Evenepoel emerged victorious. It was last year that Pogacar hit the asphalt relatively early and suffered a wrist injury. "Last year, it was entirely my fault when I fell. It happened during a quiet moment," he reflected near Bilzen. "I focused as much as possible on conserving energy. I was behind my teammate, Vegard Stake Laengen. He's big, so I didn't see much. When they fell, I went down with them. But it was entirely my fault. We also encounter poor road conditions at times. We don't always have the luxury of racing on fresh asphalt. In Belgium, there are many concrete roads with large blocks that deteriorate quickly, leading to hazardous conditions."