Posted on 07/31/2022 8:24:37 PM PDT by Morgana
Cycling at the Commonwealth Games was struck by another horrifying crash on Sunday afternoon that saw England's Matt Walls catapulted over the barrier into the crowd, leaving athletes and spectators requiring urgent medical attention.
In the second qualifying heat of the men's 15km scratch qualifying, there was a multi-rider crash and England's Matt Walls flew over the barrier and into the crowd, with his bike.
Fellow racer Matt Bostock was taken away on a stretcher, while 24-year-old Walls received treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away by ambulance.
British Cycling confirmed on social media that Walls and Bostock were taken to hospital. Canada's Derek Gee also hit the top of the barrier and while he didn't follow Walles over the top and into the crowd, he fell heavily backwards.
'We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident and will provide a further update when we can,' British Cycling posted on Twitter. Team England added: 'Matt is alert and talking – as he has been throughout – and is being given medical attention in hospital.'
Spectators were also hurt after Walls and his bike had come over the top of the barriers on the high banking of the corner.
The 24-year-old Olympic omnium champion was trying to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking but as he rode up, he clipped another wheel and went over the top.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The aero spandex suit makes sense in an event decided by 1000ths of a second.
I’m confused ..
They are on bicycles going as fast as they possibly can.
Not pedaling isn’t an option, the bicycles are direct drive and the only way to stop is to take your feet off the pedals and coast?
But the pedals are still moving so you can’t actually put your feet down unless you jump off the bike.
“Velodrome racing. “
Yup. I saw it firsthand in the Philippines. Cycling at top speed inches within each other at the TOP of the lane ala NASCAR. Doesn’t surprise me one bit.
I’m disappointed. Has FR gone woke? Some of the comments above sound like a bunch of helicopter Karen’s. “It’s too dangerous.....”
Booo hooo. Its racing. Sh^t happens.
They apply reverse pressure on the pedals to slow down. It is kind of like engine braking in a car. But they basically coast to a stop. And their feet are secured to the pedals with a mechanism similar to the one used on snow skis. Unlike road races they start fully clipped in with a person holding them upright until the bell sounds to start the race.
Velodrome race are short and at very, very high speed.
Prayers are also abandoned. Only wishes allowed.
Out of minds = out of the raceway.
I myself have done some crazy moves, on bikes etc. in which gravity and momentum won, and got a bloody arm the other day competing for a loose basketball in game (age 70), but never saw this "over the top" type of bicycle race.
Been noticing that too, eh?
Reg............nah!
Perhaps a little more engineering in the barriers would be a reasonable solution.
I never really looked at that yet.
Looks like poor Biden had those stupid toe stirrups meant for this racing stuff.
So apparently, he actually fell over from trying to step off the pedal - but the toes are caught. He should not be using them for just casual riding.
Nothing wrong with pointing out how stupid something is, including mostly because it’s dangerous.
The issue is degree, and if you’re proposing it be banned, etc. even the suggestion that more regulations exist.
Lots of things I think are stupid and very dangerous, a la “extreme” sports, but I’m not saying ban them.
Back when Ty Cobb was at the peak of his career, there were velodrome racers in NYC who were higher paid than him. Because gambling.
This looks like a fun way to race bicycles.
Today there is an outdoor velodrome in NYC in Kissena Park, Queens.
In the late 19th century and well into the 20th there was velodrome racing at the first three Madison Square Gardens in NYC. Six day races were very popular events and yes, gambling played a heavy role.
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