"Tour de France's Jonathan Vaughters slams UCI for neglecting rider safety"

Tour de France Team Manager Criticizes Cycling’s Governing Body Over Safety Concerns

A prominent Tour de France team manager, Jonathan Vaughters, has sharply criticized cycling’s governing body as the race prepares to begin, alleging the UCI is “incapable of making sound decisions regarding safety or the sport’s governance.”

Vaughters, who leads EF Education-Easypost and previously competed in four Tours, described the UCI as “run by politicians and bureaucrats unfamiliar with the sport’s realities” and added that “they were elected by other officials who’ve never experienced the dangers of racing firsthand.”

As discussions around safety in professional cycling intensify, Vaughters told CuriosityNews: “Riders, coaches, doctors, and mechanics have no say in who governs the sport. Those with genuine expertise are sidelined.”

His remarks follow safety concerns raised by top riders, including defending champion Tadej Pogacar, who stated, “In my view, this isn’t a very safe sport.” Mathieu van der Poel, a former road race world champion, opposed this year’s expansion from 176 to 184 riders, calling it “a mistake.” He added, “Fewer teams and riders would improve safety. Most crashes happen because everyone fights for space.”

Jonas Vingegaard, who adjusted his pre-Tour plans after a concussion in March, earlier questioned post-crash procedures: “The medical team didn’t check for a concussion, despite my injuries. That seemed unusual.”

Recent rule adjustments, like gear ratio limits to curb speed and narrower handlebars for control, have also sparked debate.

Brent Copeland of the UCI’s SafeR commission said, “We tested whether smaller gears reduce risks. Some sprinters use 58-11 gearing, and speeds have risen 8-10% in recent years. Our goal is safety, so cycling appeals to young riders, not discourages them. But as bikes become faster and more aerodynamic, handling suffers. This won’t change overnight.”