May 31, 2014 (Saint-Raymond de Portneuf, QC) – An unfortunate big crash at the finish of a masters race at the GP Cycliste St-Raymond is causing an uproar and some are putting blame on the FQSC, Quebec’s Cycling Federation. The following video shows the Master 1 Men’s peloton in a sprint to the finish, but a row of orange wooden barriers forces the riders into much narrower final lane to the finish line. With so many riders trying to squeeze into the smaller space, Jean-Christian Méthot (Volkswagen Rimouski-La Vie Dehors), collides with the barrier and somersaults into the air.
See the video here.
Despite the horrific crash Méthot, from Rimouski, told us, “I don’t have anything serious and my condition is getting better day by day.” Meanwhile the FQSC has posted a statement on its website about the incident – an English translation reads as follows:
“Following the accident at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saint-Raymond, the Fédération québécoise de sports cyclistes [FQSC] is upset by the accident in the final sprint of the Master Men 1 on May 25 at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saint-Raymond, during which rider Jean-Christian Méthot struck a barrier and fell. We extend our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.
To ensure such an accident does not happen again at future cycling events, the FQSC is reinforcing its monitoring with event organizers, especially for all related safety points including the number of volunteers, provincial roads, the presence of coaching vehicles and the layout of the start-finish of all race sites. Safety is a priority for the FQSC. We are committed to ensuring that safety rules are applied and maintained by all stakeholders for participants in our sport.”
The incident has led to public outcries led by the cycling blog Vélolibrius which has been sharply critical of the FQSC regarding this accident. It claims that spectators had removed the sawhorse (tréteaux de bois) barriers before being ordered to put them back into place.
Apparently a post-race interview between RDS’s Francois Parisien (former pro cyclist-turned-sports commentator) and Louis Barbeau, the FQSC Director General, about the unfortunate crash suggests that no blame is forthcoming. But Barbeau is being criticized for not taking responsibility for the incident and now Veloptimum, a popular news site in the province, has posted two letters calling for Barbeau’s resignation.
The GP St-Raymond has been on the FQSC calendar for many years but the 2014 edition saw a new organizer, Isabelle Rousseau, She issued a statement posted on Vélolibrius claiming that the former organizer, Mr. Labonté and the FQSC worked closely with her and she followed their recommendations and requests.
Pedal has contacted both Barbeau and Parisien along with Rousseau about the matter.
Jacob Kauffmann (Garneau-Québécor) and Elisabeth Albert (La Vie Sportive Apogee p/p Opus) won the senior men’s and women’s races at the GP St-Raymond with no incidents.
Read more on Velolibrius here.
Veloptimum here.
GP St-Raymond full results here.