This accident occurred on Colorado National Monument property; and I expect that the Monument personnel foresaw what was coming. Their rangers do not enjoy scraping cyclists off the pavement and I'm somewhat surprized they didn't veto that part of the event.
I am told that participants had to check in at the west entrance and show that they were registered for the event. This would have been a good opportunity for Monument personnel to warn them that if they rode over the Monument during the next couple of hours, they should assume they would be riding through at least one thunderstorm cell.
No doubt time for yet another local debate regarding the use of the Monument for sanctioned cycling events. I’m surprise they still let the 100 mile tour of the valley traverse the Monument