Philippe Gilbert wants to adjust the 3km rule after the new fall: “Create categories for each ride” | Viv Le Philo

An unexpected name led the peloton today by two kilometers.

Jonas Vingaard didn’t want to take any risks on the slalom and put himself ahead of the sprinters. “This creates chaos and something needs to be done about it,” they say at the table at Vive le Vélo.

Guests believe that adjusting the three-kilometre rule can prevent many falls.

This rule ensures that riders who have broken down in the last 3km are still included at the same time as the group in which they rode.

But it also ensures that every GC rider only feels safe when they dive in the last 3km. That is why he has to mix with the runners.

“I have often discussed modifying the rule with Adam Hansen, president of the CPA Commuter Association,” says Philip Gilbert. “He has already brought the idea up and many riders have agreed to it.”

“Now it’s up to the UCI to listen to the riders,” continues the former world champion.

But what exactly is this modification?

“Maybe they should create categories based on the last 50km profile or on the ride’s elevation gain,” suggests Gilbert.

“Above 3,000 altimeters, there is little chance of another sprint, while a ride below 2,000 altimeters has a serious chance of a sprint.”

“Or as a jury, you can also step in at the last minute. I already saw that the final is going to be hectic after such a quiet ride,” says analyst Bram Tankink.

“Then you put the 10-kilometer time difference line.”

But there is also a big problem with Gilbert and Tankink’s proposals: extra seconds at the finish line. Because rating guys can also only catch seconds.

“So you have to look at the whole system, so it’s not that simple,” Gilbert concludes.

So in the near future, we can definitely expect weak climbers to mix in with the strong sprinters.