Stefan Küng Crash Highlights Need for Improved Cycling Safety Protocols
Yesterday, Stefan Küng was charging for a podium spot at the European Time Trial Championships in the Netherlands. In the final minutes, Küng veered into the barriers and suffered a dramatic crash.
Küng was likely travelling at 50 km/h or faster. His team car arrived within seconds, and just moments later, he was back on the bike, covered in blood with a visibly shattered helmet. He crossed the line in eleventh place, one minute and twenty-nine seconds behind the winner.
Concussions and Athlete Safety in Professional Sports
Sports organisations are increasingly being held accountable when they fail to uphold safety standards. Last month, the Australian Football League (AFL) club Port Adelaide was fined $100,000 for allowing defender Aliir Aliir to continue playing after a head knock.
The NFL has developed one of the world’s leading in-game concussion diagnosis and management protocols. The NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee created the Game Day Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol in 2011, which is reviewed annually to ensure athletes receive care aligned with the latest medical consensus.
UCI In-Race Concussion Protocol
Less than a month ago, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) introduced its in-race concussion protocol. While a positive step, its effectiveness in protecting riders is questionable. The current protocol does not require an independent medical professional to make critical decisions, and the vested interests of teams and riders may compromise safety.
See the UCI Concussion Protocol explanation on LinkedIn.
Küng’s crash highlights the shortcomings: he suffered a clear head impact, yet continued the race, finishing just 46 seconds behind Wout Van Aert. The current protocol failed to adequately protect him.
Professional sports are increasingly facing legal scrutiny over head injuries. In June 2023, former athletes began preliminary hearings against Rugby governing bodies for failing to prevent brain injuries. The AFL is also facing a class action over concussions.
Recommendations for Improving UCI Concussion Safety
Other sports provide a roadmap for better concussion management. The UCI could adopt similar practices to protect riders:
- Spotting by Independent Medical Personnel: Trained experts monitor the race and flag riders who need assessment.
- Cognitive Testing: Use brief tests like the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) or Maddocks Score to assess memory, concentration, and orientation, administered by trained medical staff.
- Recording and Reporting: Publicly document concussions to improve safety protocols and medical care for riders.
- Neurological Examination: Independent neurologists should assess riders with no incentive to return to racing immediately.
