The images are incredibly violent. The sprint of the first stage of the Tour of Poland on Wednesday was the scene of a terrible fall caused by the Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) who crushed his compatriot Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck Quickstep), sent violently into the barriers. Transported in serious condition with a vital prognosis, Jakobsen suffered from multiple fractures to his face. A dozen runners were involved in the fall, including the Frenchman from Cofidis, Damien Touzé. Also injured, the latter tells us about this terrible episode.
How are you after this fall?
DAMIEN TOUZÉ. “I slept very badly. I have a triple open fracture on my finger, the entire left side of my leg grated and a very large hematoma in my pelvis. But, of course, I relativize compared to what happened to Fabio.
Did you see what happened?
Yes. Groenewegen shamefully threw him into the barriers and I saw him go over them. I was in Fabio’s wheel and I’m so sad for him. I hope we will soon be told that he is out of business. A second after the accident, a barrier fell on the road and knocked me and other runners down. It was very fast. At the hospital, I saw the images of the fall. It is scary.
Were the security conditions correct?
I do not believe. Why were so many barriers left when spectators were not allowed to move towards the finish line? And the barriers should have been better attached. It is not normal that they end up on the road.
Do you blame Groenewegen?
Oh yes. It is a criminal act that has been committed. Nudging another at this speed to keep him from passing is called a crime. It’s crazy to do this and it’s not the first time it’s happened. We put our lives on the line because of such behavior.
Do you want a sanction?
I hope it will be very, very heavy. In the bicycle, we do not hesitate to downgrade us because of a discrepancy or to fine us because we have thrown a can on the ground where it should not be. But what happened is very serious. We need an exemplary sanction. Not just an exclusion. You have to understand that at this speed, nudging an opponent is almost like hitting him with a weapon. Believe me, it hurts but I’m also angry. I don’t ride my bike to risk my life.
