Richard Plugge slams safety at Criterium du Dauphine after Dylan Van Baarle, Steven Kruijswijk crash
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Published 07/06/2024 at 09:17 GMT
Richard Plugge has questioned the safety measures at Criterium du Dauphine after two Visma-Lease a Bike riders were ruled out of the Tour de France after suffering substantial injuries. Dylan Van Baarle and Steven Kruijswijk were involved in a crash on Stage 5, which saw a large group of riders fall. He asked: “Would this happen in F1? Or would the safety organisation take measures upfront?”
‘I crashed on my shoulder’ – Roglic to have assessment after collision
Visma-Lease a Bike team manager Richard Plugge questioned the safety measures at Criterium du Dauphine after riders Dylan Van Baarle and Steven Kruijswijk crashed out during the fifth stage.
The pair were involved in the controversial incident which saw a large group of riders in the peloton fall and slide down the wet tarmac at high speeds with 21 kilometres to go, which led to the remainder of the stage to be cancelled.
Visma-Lease a Bike has since announced that neither Van Baarle nor Kruijswijk will continue the race following the crash after both riders suffered fractured bones.
Prugge took to social media to respond to a spectator’s video which captured the shocking moment, and asked: “Would this happen in F1? Or would the safety organisation take measures upfront?”
Shortly after the crash, a Visma-Lease a Bike released a statement confirming that the pair have also been ruled out of the upcoming Tour de France.
"Following the big crash today, Dylan van Baarle and Steven Kruijswijk were taken to the hospital,” the team’s official account wrote on X.
“Examinations revealed that Dylan has fractured his collarbone and will need surgery. Steven has a small fracture in his hip that will heal with rest.
"We're very disappointed to report that we will have to miss both riders at the Tour de France. We wish them all the best for their recovery."
Race leader and Soudal-QuickStep rider Remco Evenepoel was also caught up in the mass incident, while second-placed Primoz Roglic (Bora-Hansgrohe) was also amongst the fallers.
Matteo Jorgenson managed to avoid the worst of the pile-up but will start the remaining three tricky mountain stages without teammates Van Baarle and Kruijswijk.
Both Van Baarle and Kruijswijk were scheduled to race on on Visma-Lease a Bike's long team for the Tour de France.
The team have been stung with injuries lately, with defending Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert both recovering from serious injuries endured earlier this year.
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