Evenepoel leads riders' protest at the start of the Tour of Lombardy: 'Too Many Incidents'

Tarling died earlier this year during the Tour of Portugal. The young British rider, who competed for NSN, was struck by a car that had driven onto the course. The car collided head-on with the rider, who died at the scene. This reignited discussions about safety in the sport.

Things went wrong again this week. At Tre Valli Varesine, Marcel Camprubi and Thomas Gloag (Pinarello - Q36.5) were struck by a police motorcycle traveling in the wrong direction. It infuriated team leader Tom Pidcock. He actually wanted to get off his bike in protest at that point, but he decided to keep riding. He finished second in the Italian fall race, behind Jarno Widar.

The time for the protest came this Saturday. The start had already been delayed a bit, but shortly after 11:00 a.m., the flag was finally waved. But the peloton remained stationary. Race officials went to speak with the riders. After a while, Remco Evenepoel was handed a microphone, allowing him to tell his side of the story.

"We want to make a statement because there have been too many incidents involving vehicles during the races," the European champion began. "First of all, we lost a colleague and a brother," he said, referring to Tarling. “We want to show that the world cannot continue to accept that young men get injured—or even die.”

"That's why we want to take five minutes to make our statement to the organizations, to the public, and to everyone who follows cycling." After that statement, the peloton was officially sent on its way for the final Monument of the year.

The protest prompted immediate reactions, including one from Michael Tarling, Finlay’s father. “We are so grateful, moved, and proud of Fin’s teammates today for making a statement at the Tour of Lombardy,” he said on X. “Things need to change, and no other family should have to receive the phone call we received on August 14. We sincerely hope that the UCI will listen and that changes will be made."

Adam Hansen, president of the riders’ union, also spoke out on behalf of the riders. “Riders race at high speeds with little protection, and we rely on the race organizers to close off the roads. That responsibility is not being taken seriously. We are asking the UCI for help in ensuring that race organizers take responsibility.”

It certainly wasn't our intention to disrupt the race. “We don’t want to influence the race; we just want to show what riders can do when they come together. We love this sport. We respect the organizers, want to race hard, and put on a great show. But the most important thing is that we finish safely and can return home to our loved ones.”