Interesting perspective from an old rider, coach, team manager (manager of one Lance Armstrong) on why we are seeing so many major wrecks with more severe injuries.
-Stiffer frames
-stiffer wheels
-deep section wheels
-narrower bars
-angled brakes
-geometry that promotes riding on the hoods with arms bent vs in the drops.
The latest Vingo wreck - high speed, stiff unforgiving bike, probably the front wheel locked from a bouncing and disc brakes.
My point - this sport is really about the riders. If they were all on similar machines of any type, even old school steel - the racing would be the same.