Dutch rider Roxane Knetemann has criticised the UCI after today’s Women’s Team-Trial at the World Road Championships after her Rabo-Liv team-mate Anouska Koster suffered a heavy crash.
23 year-old Koster looked to be affected by the heat during the race as she lost control of her bike as the team neared a roundabout.
She crashed into the barriers and flew over the handlebars and blood could be seen running down her face as she struggled to get back on her bike.
“The UCI has not really thought this through,” Knetemann told reporters afterwards. “It makes no sense! The heat, it’s just not right and certainly not in a time trial. It’s like a sauna.”
The team lost any chance of a medal as at that stage, they were down to the minimum four riders required to set a time.
Prior to the start of the Championships, there had been much criticism of the decision to host the races in the hot conditions of Qatar.
Koster wasn’t the only rider to suffer in the conditions as at the finish line, there were reportedly several riders who required medical assistance.
The race was won by Boels-Dolmans team with Canyon-SRAM and Cervélo-Bigla Pro Cycling rounding out the podium.
Een opmerkelijke valpartij van wielrenster Anouska Koster (Rabo-Liv) tijdens de WK-ploegentijdrit in bloedheet Qatar. pic.twitter.com/e1FZwoCIHq
— NOS Sport (@NOSsport) October 9, 2016
Scary. It looks like she was in trouble before she crashed. You have to wonder who really thought this location was a good idea. They are screwing over the riders for a little cash.
That is not right. Who made the decision to hold WChamps in that heat. Name and shame the cretins
I hope she’s OK as it looked a bad crash. Seems a little unfair to blame the UCI though. Maybe should have worn a properly ventilated road helmet rather than a closed time trial lid on this occasion….
WTF!
UCI need a full investigation.
If world champs is cut to 100km and any more harm to comes to riders because of the environment, someone needs sacking.
I’ve been there before and it’s the first and last it’ll be.
40 degrees is an everyday thing there
poor girl, she was so desperate to get back on
Because Qatar is famous for it’s blizzards…
UCI Dickheads,how many more mindless incidents in the next week of racing?
These are athletes you are playing with not robots
Pompeo
Boia che botta!
Oh nasty one. Really hope that she is ok
You can’t power-through heat stroke…
Watched it live, and the other girl that was violently sick near the finish. Bloody joke holding this in 38/40 degree heat.
Typical women. Wrong side of the road!!
Rather an unpleasant comment in the circumstances as the poor girl was obviously heat stressed.
I have raced in 40C to -5C, every rider has a choice to drop out of a race if they cannot handle it. I do not believe the UCI or any race organization should alter a race due to conditions. This separates the truly great riders from the rest.