Tour de France security measures tightened because of deadly incident

The organizers of the Tour de France have announced that they have increased safety measures in the Alpine stages in connection with the death of Swiss cyclist Gino Meder.

Meder passed away last month when he fell on a downhill stage at the Tour of Switzerland. According to the initial report of the investigators, it is a mistake by the competitor, but this does not mean that a similar one cannot be allowed in the Tour de France. For this reason, the safety measures in the 14th and 17th stages, which have downhill finishes, have been tightened.

Both descents have safety restrictions, new asphalt has been laid, and there will be an audible signal at the turns to help participants, said Adam Hansen, spokesman for the Association of Cyclists.

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In the 14th stage, which is on July 15, the finish comes after a 12-kilometer descent from the Col de Jou Plan to Morzine. Stage 17 on July 19 features a six-kilometer descent from the Col de la Loze to Courchevel.

After Meder’s death, a debate arose as to whether alpine races should have downhill finishes, which often reach speeds of around 100 kilometers per hour.