The French State Railway company SNCF has made an official complaint to French prosecutors after demanding police action against “Irresponsible” Paris-Roubaix cycle race riders.
Riders were confronted by the barrier coming down across a railway track at Waller 87km from the end of the race nicknamed the “hell of the North” race.
“Several riders deliberately and against all safety rules crossed a closed safety barrier. Millions of television viewers saw live this extremely grave and irresponsible action which could have been tragic.” A SNCF spokesperson is quoted as saying.
The last of the riders went through the barrier about eight seconds before a train whistled past. One rider from the Belgian Lotto team clipped the barrier as it came down. A Police motorcyclist then stopped other riders from going past the barrier.
Winner John Degenkolb who was one of the riders who went through the barrier was not disqualified as organisers deemed it was not possible for the leaders to stop in time. Usually riders who go through closed safety crossings are disqualified.
This really does give a whole new meaning to gatecrashing.
