Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian cyclist Maeve Plouffe has revealed she nearly got hit by a car while riding in this week’s Tour of Britain — and has warned of potentially more “horrific consequences” for a sport already reeling from tragedy.
Plouffe, the 27-year-old former Sydney track star who grabbed Commonwealth team pursuit gold and individual silver in 2022, prompted organisers of the week-long road race to review safety procedures after she outlined her “scary” experience.
Plouffe had to withdraw from the race, having suffered a puncture during the opening stage in Cumbria on Wednesday, caused waves with her revelation on Instagram about an alarming episode with a car as she attempted to chase back to the peloton.
Her comments came only days after British rider Finlay Tarling died last week during stage eight of the Volta a Portugal after he was hit by a non-race light goods vehicle which had entered on to the course.
Explaining her withdrawal, Plouffe added: “While the race convoy was still in sight, and I was less than two minutes down, there were cars from the general public coming at me from all directions, including one that nearly hit me on a roundabout.
“Later on, the moto escort was wonderful and I felt much safer.
“But considering the recent devastating events in our cycling community, it’s scary to see situations like this, when we know that this can have horrific consequences, especially so soon after suffering such a tragedy.”
She was referring to the death of the 19-year-old Tarling, who was killed last week in a high-speed collision with a van, which had strayed on to the road during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.
Before the Tour of Britain Women had begun, an emotional tribute was paid to Tarling, with his picture projected on to a large screen while all 114 riders and roadside fans joined in a minute’s applause to honour him.
Tarling was the younger brother of Netcompany Ineos rider Josh Tarling, who will ride the Vuelta a Espana Grand Tour, which begins on Saturday, in honour of his sibling.
Organisers have swiftly taken note of Plouffe with Jonathan Day, events director of British Cycling Ventures – the commercial arm of British Cycling that organises the Tour – saying in a statement: “We’re taking those comments extremely seriously.
“Rider safety is paramount and will always be treated as a priority in our planning and how we operate any race.
“We’re reviewing what happened with Maeve and her team, O’Shea Red Chilli Bikes, with the seriousness and empathy these comments demand.
“We recognise this comes at an especially difficult time for the cycling community, so we want to reassure all riders, teams and fans of the sport at this time of how serious we are treating these comments.”
The race continued on Thursday with Dutch superstar Lorena Wiebes claiming her second successive stage victory between Clitheroe and Blackpool but only after that second stage had been neutralised because of a car accident.
Australian rider Georgia Baker, fresh from her golden Commonwealth Games on the track in Glasgow, was also caught up in a crash on the route.
Wiebes is 14 seconds ahead of Italy’s Chiara Consonni (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) in the general classification as the race moves into Wales on Friday.
