Biker93

so I guess the rules state that if you go though a closed railroad barrier you get disqualified, the three man chase went though one and they were disqualified, but Boonen's group was not. However Boonen's group clearly went though the closed barrier too, they just waited on the train.

highoncontrast

I noticed that too. Silly.

Dick Rhee

Supposedly the UCI guy waved Boonen's group across, whereas the first group gunned it while the train was still incoming. That's my understanding, anyway.

UmneyDurak

There is an active train track in the middle of the race? Seems wiered.

roadwarrior

It's happened in the tour plenty of times....but the last time it happened, they made the break group that got in the other side of the tracks, wait...

EventServices

There's been an active track on that course for nearly a century. Sometimes lightning strikes, and a train disrupts the race. That's bike racing.

If the rule says wait on Red, then you wait. The official who waved them through was wrong and should be hanged at sunrise.

If the official waved them and they had gotten hit, what would this thread be discussing?

Train speeds are harder to judge than oncoming traffic.
(Which is why they put those story problems on math tests: if a train travelling at 50mph leaves Chicago at 1am ....)

Grasschopper

Well after reading cyclingnews this morning it looks like no one from the race organizers to the race officials to the rider's themselves (Boonan for instance says he finished fifth not 2nd) agree with the DQ.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...r06/apr10news2

RockyMtnMerlin

To me the strangest thing is that they all (except the UCI rules people, whom we haven't hear express an opinion) say that the rule is situational, should be applied in some instances and not others. That, of course is bull. I also have to add that the post by Event Services makes perfect sense to me.

worker4youth

Is it just me, or does the "10 km" to go signs on the tracks look like a Krisy Kreme signs?

RockyMtnMerlin

"MMMM Krispy Kreme" Homer Simpson 2002.

Grasschopper

Sure looks to me like these three should also be DQed for the same infraction...the gate is still down.

rufvelo

Rules always selectively apply in France. If 3 Frenchmen had crossed the gate instead of those blue guys on American bikes...look Yippee! - a resurrection in French cycling!

DocRay

American riders or american bike riders have to follow the same UCI rules as everyone else. They cannot allow riders to disobey marshals and race in front of a train-this is for the sake of common sense, which seems almost absent here.

2Rodies

Huh? The broke the rules, they paid the price. What part of this don't you understand? I've seen French riders get caught out by trains during the TdF, it happens, it's part of racing on public roads.

Grasschopper

I am still waiting for someone to tell me why these guys weren't also DQed as they are CLEARLY breaking the rule as well.

2Rodies

I agree they should have been dq'd as well. How ever the first group was being waved to stop and they continues the second group was waved to continue by the marshals and they did what they were instructed to do. Technically they should have be dq'd though.

I was responding more to the "French are out to get the Americans" tone of the other post.

DocRay

The rule is to obey the marshal. The marshal waived them through, don't try to interpret off-angle pics out of context.

voltman

Because they were waved through?

dolophonic

The train had passed......... you dont seem to get t, they waited...the train passed they go.. hello.

Grasschopper

Err no it isn't.

Page 25 (27 of the document) https://www.uci.ch/english/about/rules_2004/ch02.pdf
UCI rule: 2.3.034

"It shall be strictly forbidden to cross level crossing when the barrier is down."

By the letter of the rule the other 3 riders should also be DQed, as has been said before the rule says NOTHING about the train OR the marshals.

lotek 

according to cyclingnews and Het Nieusblad the question concerning Boonen, et al is not answered


Marc Sergeant, Davitamon-Lotto director, and Johan Bruyneel are now considering submitting a complaint against the UCI because of the train incident. "The decision isn't human," Sergeant told Het Nieuwsblad on Monday morning. "We lose an important podium placing and a whole lot of ProTour points. I do feel bitter. I don't have a problem with the rules, but if Van Petegem, Hoste and Gussev are disqualified, why wasn't Boonen? It's a question of principle."

Cypress

I didn't watch the race... Did the disqualified riders gain an advantage by blowing the tracks? If so, I can understand the DQ. Still doesn't make it right that Boonen's group wasn't DQ'd as well, but it does make for a stronger case.

2Rodies

Not so much on Cancellara but if they had waited for the train to pass Boonens group would have caught them and then the race for second would have been a much different affair.

bigskymacadam

i don't have the stats, but it didn't look as if the group would not have caught up to the breakaway.

Cypress

Wow. Sounds like this will be argued about for quite a while. I bet that marshall is feeling the sting right now!