Organizers of the Tour of Qatar cycle race have come under fire after a crash led to a pile-up of participants, one of whom was left with a broken collarbone.
The crash, which occurred during the sprint at the end of the tour's second stage on Tuesday, brought down a number of racers and is alleged to have been caused by the lack of safety measures around the road's raised concrete median.
Cycling professionals, ex-pros, experts and enthusiasts took to social media to voice their anger at the incident which many believe could have been easily avoided.
Disgraced former Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong tweeted "Hard to believe that's a PROFESSIONAL sport. #ridiculous", prompting a reply from The Association of North American Professional Road Cyclists saying "While you're there, let @tourofqatar_ know this isn't good enough".
Retired racer Dean Downing posted: "Where are the barriers here?? Riders sprinting at 65kmph in the last 1km into a kerb is not acceptable" while BMC Racing Team cyclist Brent Bookwalter added: "Have we learned nothing? More negligence from race org. Resulting in riders hurt".
The race was eventually won by Alexander Kristoff ahead of Mark Cavendish who retained the overall lead ahead of Wednesday's Stage 3 race. The 626.4 kilometre tour features stages in total, finishing on Friday February 12.
BY Neil King
