Cyclist Criticizes Bike Safety After Crash

- The crash occurred on stage 4 of the Tour of Oman when Touzé's bike skidded on a raised reflective pavement marker, known as a "cat's eye," as he was reaching for a water bottle. - Touzé's injuries were extensive and life-threatening, including a perforated intestine, a ruptured spleen, a fractured knee, and multiple torn ligaments. He required two operations and lost 10 kilograms (about 22 pounds) during his 10-day hospital stay in Oman before being flown back to Europe. - This was not the French professional's first major incident; he was also involved in the 2020 Tour de Pologne mass crash that resulted in a life-threatening fall for Fabio Jakobsen, and in 2022, he crashed at the Vuelta a Burgos after hitting a speed bump. - His critique of modern bikes centers on the materials and design; professional racing bikes have evolved from steel to lighter and significantly stiffer carbon fiber, which can be less forgiving and harder to handle at the high speeds common in today's peloton. - Cycling's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), sets equipment regulations, including a minimum bike weight of 6.8 kilograms, a rule established in 2000 to prevent frames from being dangerously light. - Due to the severity of his injuries and a long recovery ahead, the 29-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the year, has stated that his career is on hold and his future in professional cycling is uncertain.