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Helicopter blows peloton off the road as it takes off

Helicopter blows peloton off the road as it takes off

As a moto scout riding with international cycle races, I'm hardly surprised that the cyclists try to blame the pilot :rolleyes: :ugh:

Quote:

Whether its movement to avoid road furniture, or a rider not paying attention, there are plenty of hazards when riding in the peloton.

But one danger you wouldn’t expect to face being blown off course by a helicopter taking off just metres from the race.

That was the unlikely cause of a collision during a road race in the Czech Republic.

The video was taking during the CP Olomouc in the east of the country and was posted on Facebook on Monday (June 10).

Some viewers have criticised the helicopter pilot for causing the crash.

But witnesses who saw the incident first hand said the helicopter is an air ambulance that had been called to treat a racer who was injured during the race, and that the peloton were not near when the aircraft started taking off.

A similar incident happened on stage six of the Vuelta a España last year, when riders hit the deck and some blamed the race helicopter for pushing barriers across the road and into their path.

Ag2r La Mondiale rider Julien Duval was caught in the crash and needed stitches in his groin.

He later took to Twitter to blame the race helicopter for the crash.

Patrick Lefevere’s son Thomas has appeared in court this month after allegedly flying a helicopter over the peloton during the 2018 Paris-Roubaix.

Thomas Lefevere, 22, allegedly flew a rented helicopter above the peloton during the 2018 edition of the Monument, without informing the French air force.

In December last year Patrick Lefevere, the general manager of the Belgian WorldTour team Deceuninck – Quick-Step, said: “We have never flown above the riders. Far from it. But the world of helicopter men is even smaller than the cycling world.”

The case is due to be concluded on June 20.

Something wrong with the link, fixed:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/r...t3DWoPsVrmx.99

It looks like the group slowed down due to wind caused by the downdraft and piled up as a result.

Pity it wasn’t a larger helicopter.

One wet day in Germany I was lifting an 8 ton load with a Chinook from beside a small country road; a motor cyclist (on a small machine) ignored the stop signs, personnel trying to get him to stop and drove straight past. Needless to say my downwash was considerably stronger than his self belief, and the full ditch alongside the road received him, his motor bike and girlfriend riding pillion. He also blamed the helicopter - the police didn't!

Havick is spot on!:E

Couldn't have timed that takeoff at a worse time...or a better one, depending on your personal viewpoint!

I've always wondered how cyclists (I am one, no axe to grind here) are allowed to race on the road when no other type of vehicle is.

Rallies are frequently run on closed roads. Melbourne and Monaco both have F1 races on public street circuits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonsense (Post 10493762)

Melbourne and Monaco both have F1 races on public street circuits.

As does Baku and Singapore. Macau has their annual thing, and there are loads of other cities around the world closing roads to host races, not to mention the hill climb events.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShyTorque (Post 10493749)

I ride as a moto scout on cycling events in Australia, and in Victoria there is legislation to allow a 'rolling road block' where the road between the lead and tail police escort is exempt from road rules. This allows the cyclists free movement on the road, but also allows the police solos plus the moto scouts to leapfrog ahead to keep side roads closed for the event. Our instructions are to 'Ride with Purpose' :ok: :cool:

Along with the occasional reminder at the daily brief that 'it's not a motorcycle race' :p

The event organisers do pay for this service, of course, along with the road closures, permits, etc!

I was thinking "UK" rather than world wide, and not on closed roads. :)

Cyclists are allowed to race without road closures, no-one else is though. The authorities are very strict when it comes to motorcycles or motor vehicles doing so. I'm involved with classic trials events, where cars and bikes travel around 200 miles between off-road hill sections. Vehicles are only allowed an average road speed of 30 mph on a fixed route and anyone arriving too early at a section (which can be worked out quite easily) is deemed to have been speeding and may well be excluded. If a competitor gets a speeding ticket 24 hours before or after a trial, or becomes involved in a road accident they are obliged to declare it and are thus disqualified.
However, it has been mentioned quite recently that a proposed change in policy may allow applications for public roads to be closed for motorsports events here, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShyTorque (Post 10493749)

still think V22 or CH53 would have made for better viewing.

Hauling Water Buckets under the Chinook adjacent to a roadway in Vietnam sure seemed to upset the Lambrettas and Honda 50's a wee bit.:oh: