Tour of Belgium riders protest after crash puts Stig Broeckx in coma
Sunday 29 May 2016 18:50, UK
Riders at the Baloise Belgium Tour staged a protest at safety conditions ahead of Sunday's fourth stage.
The demonstration came after two race motorbikes collided and crashed into the peloton on Saturday's third stage, leaving Belgian rider Stig Broeckx in a coma.
A statement released by the riders' association Cyclistes Professionnels Associes read: "The riders started the stage after a few minutes' delay to show their pre-occupation over safety in races.
"CPA and AIGCP [Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels] demand that new measures are implemented faster."
Broeckx, who rides for Lotto Soudal, has two bleeds on the brain and a fractured eye socket following Saturday's crash, which involved 19 riders and led to 11 being taken to hospital.
It was the second time Broeckx has been hit by a motorbike this year, after being involved in a collision with a medical motorbike at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in February.
In a statement released on Sunday, Lotto Soudal doctor Servaas Bingé gave an update on Broeckx's condition.
He said: "Constant monitoring and tests showed that the intracranial pressure has slightly increased, but within acceptable limits.
"During the next 48 to 72 hours, the increase or decrease of the intracranial pressure will be decisive for further treatment. If the intracranial pressure increases, surgery might be necessary. A decrease of the pressure would be a positive sign. The bleedings in the brain have stabilised."
Lotto Soudal quit the race after Saturday's crash.
