Formula 1, Less Risky Than Cycling, According to Johan Vansummeren
Belgian cycling champion Johan Vansummeren stated, after the death of a spectator during a classic race held in his country last weekend, that his sport is more dangerous than Formula 1.
Johan Vansummeren is a respected rider in the world of professional cycling. Winner of the prestigious Paris-Roubaix classic in 2011, the 34-year-old Belgian was also involved in a serious accident during the 2014 Tour of Flanders when a poorly positioned spectator collided with him at full speed during the race.
If the runner got away with a few facial bruises, the spectator was a victim of a concussion that required her to be placed in an artificial coma.
Last weekend, during the Belgian classic Brustem-Sint-Truiden, the same type of accident occurred with a young 18-year-old rider, hitting a spectator who later passed away after being transferred to the hospital. An accident that made Vansummeren say that cycling is a sport that is not secure enough, unlike Formula 1, which has managed to react after serious accidents: « The one who is not affected by what just happened is not normal », he stated to the Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad.
« When we fall, it’s often on the side of the road, and how often do you have obstacles in these places that have nothing to do with road safety? I don’t understand why cycling federations don’t impose more rules. Look at Formula 1, after several serious accidents, they were able to react. Today, cycling is less safe than F1. »
