Bordjesman Alain Remue on motorcycle accidents at the Tour: “The feeling that we are more professional in Flanders than ASO” | Tour de France

“If three drivers stay ahead against 9 others, are they just the strongest or is the law of engines in play?”

Karl Vanyukerke threw it at the feet of his guests. A specialist sat down with Alain Remy, the missing persons cell commissioner. He is often on the bike in the Flemish races as an ‘ardoisier’, the man who points out the time differences.

“We’ve already seen strange things on this Tour. Of course it’s not always obvious. Sometimes I feel like we in Flanders are more professional than I’ve seen now from ASO. With good agreements, solid briefings and an organizer who does his job.”

The organizer is the person who has to direct everything in the right direction. But that’s exactly where the shoe pinches, according to Remy. “Sometimes here at the Tour I feel like the organizer doesn’t dare to do his job.”

“The organizer ensures that the course can be fair. Everyone has to ride where they are and do their job, but you have to take into account how the course works.”

“You have to anticipate, know your course. Where are the narrows, where are the stakes? Above all, you have to dare to make decisions and send the motorcycles away.”

“If ASO’s No. 10 car stops on the pole, it’s because it was too close. If the car stops, there’s still room so you can leave before the passengers arrive. You have to treat that as an organizer. Our system works in Flanders. I get the impression it doesn’t always work here.”

Although he toned it down a bit afterward, Jasper Philipsen hinted immediately after the ride that the engines hadn’t affected the track for the first time.

Former recent racer Sep Vanmarcke understands the frustration. “Unfortunately, the track is sometimes set by the engine. Although there are three very strong guys up front.”

“I used to make sure I had the absolute wheel before they attacked. They can attack so hard the engine can’t estimate how fast they’re going.”

“Before you know it, you’ll be on the waking up. If you’re not close to the wheel, sometimes you’re too late. Especially if the strongest of men are gone.”

Fewer engines, according to Alain Remue, is the solution to avoid similar problems in the future.

“Before starting I saw all the engines in front of the peloton. There were maybe 30 of them and I thought: Do they all have a job? Can’t we eliminate a few? You have to imagine it and there are a few engines you really need. But I think you can eliminate.”