Dylan Groenewegen on Rising Crash Rates in Cycling: Speed and Lack of Space to Blame

Dylan Groenewegen, the Dutch professional road racing cyclist currently riding for Unibet Rose Rockets, attributes the increasing number of crashes in professional cycling to a combination of higher speeds and a lack of space within the peloton. The seasoned sprinter shared his insights following recent incidents in the opening of the Flemish cycling spring, where several riders sustained injuries.

Increased Speeds and Convergence of Rider Levels

Groenewegen, a six-time Tour de France stage winner, noted that average race speeds have increased significantly. “The material is getting better and faster and the peloton is therefore also moving faster. In each race the average speed is 45, 46 kilometers per hour,” he stated in the NOS Cycling podcast. Dylan Groenewegen explained that as rider skill levels converge, the competition for position intensifies, leading to more precarious situations. “The level is becoming more and more convergent. So it comes down to details and it is a fight for every place. Then unfortunately falls happen.”

Dumoulin Agrees: Reaction Times are Decreasing

Former cyclist Tom Dumoulin echoed Groenewegen’s assessment, pointing to the reduced reaction times at higher speeds as a contributing factor. While observing at De Omloop, Dumoulin didn’t attribute the crashes to inherent safety issues but rather to the increased velocity. “I think, what Dylan says, that on average they drive 3.4 kilometers per hour faster. And that does make a difference in reaction time. It is less. That causes falls that you perhaps saw less often ten years ago,” Dumoulin explained.

Recent Injuries Highlight the Problem

The recent races have seen a concerning number of injuries. Stefan Küng suffered a broken hip, Tim Wellens a broken collarbone, Rory Townsend a knee injury, and Rick Pluimers lost two front teeth in separate incidents. Groenewegen described Le Samyn as a particularly chaotic race, stating, “It went from left to right. You just follow your predecessor, because sometimes you don’t even see where you are going. Sometimes it was like being on a rollercoaster.”

Groenewegen’s Career and Team Change

Groenewegen is currently in his twelfth season as a professional cyclist. He faced a setback in 2020 after causing a serious crash involving Fabio Jakobsen at the Tour of Poland, resulting in a nine-month suspension. He transitioned to the UCI ProTeam Unibet Rose Rockets after ten years with Team Jumbo-Visma and Team Jayco-AlUla, seeking a fresh start under the guidance of former sprinter Marcel Kittel. He won his first race with the team at the Clàssica Communitat Valenciana.

Future Goals and Safety Measures

Looking ahead, Groenewegen’s goals include competing in De Panne, Scheldeprijs, and a stage in the Giro d’Italia. The discussion around rider safety continues, with potential solutions like airbags being investigated by the UCI. However, Groenewegen believes the primary responsibility lies with the riders themselves. “It’s mainly the riders themselves,” he said. “Every team now uses Veloviewer…and every rider is told in his earpiece: that’s where you should sit. That applies to 180 riders and then it is sprinting to every corner. It actually comes down to not giving each other space.”