Pogačar could be penalized for Flanders' level crossing incident
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (L) of UAE Team Emirates in action during the men's 278km Tour of Flanders cycling race. Pool Nico Vereecken/Belga Pool/dpa Tour of Flanders winner Tadej Pogačar and third-placed Remco Evenepoel are among the riders who could be penalized for running a level crossing red light during the men's race. The incident happened in Wichelen after about 65 kilometres of the total 278km.
The race was briefly neutralized and delayed by a few minutes as half of the peloton was stopped at a level crossing. Around 30 riders were able to continue immediately, among them Pogačar and Evenepoel, when the level crossing barriers came down. According to media reports, the East Flanders public prosecutor's office plans to identify those riders in the front group and issue penalties.
Riders could be banned from racing for at least eight days and receive fines ranging from €400 ($462. 37) to €5,000. In the worst-case scenario, it could result in disqualification.
In this instance, however, that's unlikely, as it would affect a large number of riders. According to the regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI), riders must stop at level crossings when the light is red. "It was not nice.
We were riding and suddenly three guys jump on the middle of the road and start waving to stop. How can you stop in one second? " Pogačar said.