Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) President Brian Cookson has written a "long message" following the death of Antoine Demoitié "as a consequence of the Belgian rider's accident with a motorbike during Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem," according to CYCLING NEWS. Cookson called on everyone in the sport "to do as much as possible to protect the safety of the riders" and help to improve the safe organization of races. Cookson promised that the UCI "would work with the relevant authorities to investigate the accident" but warned people about "jumping to conclusions" before any investigations are completed. He wrote, "In the hours and days following the tragic death of Antoine Demoitié, many people have contacted me directly or indirectly, or have commented on social media, to express their concern and to demand action. As President of the UCI, I take these comments seriously and feel that I have a duty to respond." The UCI president shied away from "calling for any kind of immediate action driven by an emotional desire to find immediate simple solutions." Instead he is "keen to first identify the root cause of the problem of the seemingly increasing number of crashes and accidents involving riders and race vehicles" (CYCLING NEWS, 3/30).
