NZ Herald Headlines | Monday, April 6, 2026.
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Nearly 20 cyclists could face action by Belgian prosecutors after a railway-crossing incident caused chaos at the Tour of Flanders, though New Zealand Olympian Laurence Pithie still finished strongly.
As race winner Tadej Pogačar and other riders in the front group were approaching a level crossing, the warning signal activated.
However, several riders continued across the railway line.
The Slovenian cyclist said he and the other members of the lead group weren’t given enough time to stop.
“Suddenly, three guys jumped in the middle of the road and started waving to stop,” Pogačar said at the post-race press conference.
Race officials later told the leading group to slow down to allow the peloton to catch up.
However, the race jury’s decision to not take action against the riders has been questioned, as UCI rules state “riders are obliged to stop at a red light”.
A train split the Tour of Flanders peloton in half with more than 200km to go in the race. Photo / Eurosport
The rules also state that anyone who rides through a red light “must be removed from the race”.
The East Flanders public prosecutor’s office said the riders involved would be identified and a report filed over alleged road safety breaches.
Riders involved face potential fines.
Railway operator Infrabel criticised the cyclists’ actions, according to the European Broadcasting Union.
Local star and Pogačar rival Remco Evenepoel, who was seen in the front group, finished third overall, but his Kiwi Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammate Laurence Pithie finished 14th.
