Adam Hansen calls for change to TV coverage following Itzulia Basque Country crash

CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés) president Adam Hansen has called for a change to television coverage in the aftermath of crashes following a huge crash on stage 4 of Itzulia Basque Country.

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) and Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) were among those injured in the crash that occurred on a fast bend with 35.9km of the stage remaining, which left multiple riders needing hospital treatment.

While the race was neutralised out front, the cameras kept rolling to broadcast footage of the injured riders behind, showing, among other things, Vingegaard being rolled on a stretcher to an ambulance while receiving oxygen. The footage was captured by the race organisers and is relayed to the broadcasters, who have no control over the images.

Hansen, who became the president of the riders’ association in 2023, has called for a change so that footage of injured riders can’t be broadcast in the future.

“Out of respect of riders that have fallen in a crash and their families at home. The CPA does not support TV coverage to continue to film them while they are down,” he said in a social media post. “Riders have reached out to me asking if we can make this a rule and we support that. Please be mindful.”

Read more: Jonas Vingegaard diagnosed with broken ribs and collarbone from Itzulia Basque Country crash

After being taken to hospital, Vingegaard was subsequently diagnosed with several broken ribs and a broken collarbone, his team confirmed, and was kept in hospital overnight as a precaution.

While able to walk to his ambulance, Evenepoel suffered a fractured collarbone and scapula, with the injuries ruling him out of the Ardennes Classics and an attempt at winning a third consecutive Liège-Bastogne-Liège title.

Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) was also involved in the crash but escaped relatively unscathed, barring scrapes and cuts.

Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates),Natnael Tesfatsion (Lidl-Trek), Alexander Cepeda and Sean Quinn (both EF-Education EasyPost) were among the other riders who the footage focussed on.

To help facilitate the future changes, Hansen also said that he will ask all teams to provide emergency contact numbers to family members so they have someone to call in the immediate aftermath of a crash, when they otherwise may be left relying on the television footage.

“I was very surprised to hear this,” Hansen responded when it was pointed out that some family members of riders don’t have emergency contact details.

“My mother had my team’s doctors and the teams' administration staff numbers for direct and accurate information. This will have to change for teams not doing the same. As not everyone shares the same point of view. Also, who would you prefer to get your information from? the doctor or a commentator..... I will request that ALL teams give an emergency number for family members to call if need be.”