“It’s sad to have to risk your life to compete”: Camprubí and Gloag crashes renew concerns over race safety

The 105th edition of the Tre Valli Varesine ended this Tuesday with the victory of Jarno Widar ahead of Tom Pidcock and Matteo Jorgenson, but the sporting result took a back seat after a serious incident occurred during the race. A police motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction of the cyclists collided with Marcel Camprubí and Thomas Gloag, both teammates of Pidcock on the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

Camprubí: “Sad to have to risk your life to race”

Pidcock himself reported the incident after crossing the finish line and explained that his first reaction was to consider abandoning the race. The Brit was particularly angry to see how two teammates who were working for him ended up on the ground due to a situation completely unrelated to the competition.

“A police motorcycle was going the wrong way on the course and collided with two of our riders. The first thing I wanted was to stop racing. I was furious. I had the guys in front working for me and two of them ended up on the ground.”

Pidcock denounces in Eurosport a police hit-and-run involving two teammates, including Camprubí: "A police motorcycle was going the wrong way on the circuit and collided with two of our guys" "Fortunately, Marcel was fine and was able to continue" https://t.co/vcFSe7ZvRa

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) October 6, 2026

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Camprubí was able to continue and finish the race, while Gloag had to abandon after the accident and needed several stitches in a knee. “Fortunately Marcel was fine and was able to continue. Tom was also fine in the end, but had to abandon and has some stitches in his knee. These things shouldn’t happen,” added Pidcock.

Marcel Camprubí himself later showed on social media how his bike looked after the impact, with the front wheel completely destroyed, and accompanied the image with an equally forceful message: “Sad to have to risk your life to race, a month after a tragic accident.”

An obvious reference to the death of Finlay Tarling, whose passing is still very present within the peloton and especially in British cycling.

The death of Tarling occurred during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal, in an accident that once again brought to the forefront the safety of riders against traffic during a race. Finlay Tarling died at just 19 years old after colliding with a van that was traveling in the opposite direction of the race, after the vehicle entered the course upon receiving the incorrect indication that all cyclists had passed.

The incident also provoked a strong reaction within the peloton and reopened the debate on safety measures in racing. The CPA then called for changes in safety measures after Tarling's death, in a context where the presence and control of vehicles within the races came under scrutiny again.

Pidcock has been particularly sensitive to Tarling's death for weeks

All this context helps to understand Pidcock's reaction in Varese. Tarling's death particularly affected the Brit, and it was still very present when, just a few weeks later, he was crowned World Champion XCO 2026 in Val di Sole.

Pidcock had just conquered his second rainbow jersey in mountain biking after a spectacular comeback, but his first words as world champion were precisely to remember Finlay Tarling. The Brit became emotional when talking about his compatriot even before reflecting on his own victory.

That’s why finding himself in the middle of a race with a motorcycle from the organization going in the opposite direction and seeing it collide with two teammates pushed Pidcock to the brink of getting off his bike.

In the end, he continued and came very close to victory. After attacking in the final part, Pidcock arrived in Varese in a small group alongside Widar and Jorgenson, but the young Belgian was the fastest in the sprint. Pidcock finished second and Jorgenson completed the podium.

Despite the defeat, the Brit acknowledged afterwards Widar's superiority at the finish, but his most forceful words were about a safety issue that, after what has happened in recent months, brings the focus back on the coexistence between vehicles and riders during a race.

Pidcock's season will continue this Saturday, October 10, at Il Lombardia, the last Monument of the year and a particularly open edition due to the absence of Tadej Pogačar. The race will cover 239 kilometers between Bergamo and Como, with around 4,600 meters of elevation gain and nine climbs. Here you can check the route, favorites, and all the keys to Il Lombardia 2026.