“You’re never safe from the sudden madness of a spectator” – Philippe Gilbert

Following on from the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, former World Champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) has expressed concerns about the security of bike races.

“It is especially worrying when we take part in a sport as open as cycling,” Gilbert told lavenir.net. “You’re never safe from the sudden madness of a spectator.”

Gilbert says he has discussed the topic with Chris Froomer, another cyclist who also lives in Monaco, and in particular, the incident at last year’s Tour de France when a spectator jumped onto the circuit at the Champs Elysées on the last stage of the Tour.

“I spoke With Chris Froome recently about these types of incidents,” said Gilbert. “What would have happened if he had decided to blow himself up in the middle of the pack?”

Gilbert expressed solidarity with the victims of the Paris attacks and their families when he participated in a peace march in the streets of Monaco.

Despite his concerns though, the Belgian feels that costs of increasing security at races could mean the end of some races.

“Of course I’m worried, but we should not always think the worst or else we don’t go forward,” he said. “We could increase security around the events, but it would be very expensive to the organisers.”

“That could possibly result in organisers charging spectators. And that, in the current economic environment, would certainly not be a good thing: it would result in the end of a lot of races, I think.”