It is interesting to watch the difference in the quality of the sprints when the 'big gun' sprinters are not in the field. Even though this is a pro field, the surging chaos that ensued in the final four kilometers of the last stage of the 2009 Presidental Cycling Tour of Turkey resulted in FOUR crashes. The most dramatic and controversial crash involved trackie Theo Bos (Rabobank Continental) and race leader Daryl Impey (Barloworld). With 800m to go Bos get's squeezed by Impey along side the left side barrier and Bos reaches up, grabs Impy's shoulder and throws Impey into the barrier, taking them both down.

While Bos claims that there was no aggressive intent, it is clear in this viewers mind that Bos took action based on "if I am going down, then he is going down" type logic. Amazingly, the UCI has decided to take no action against Bos. Do you agree?

Impey laid on the ground for 20 minutes before being assisted by a team mate across the line, solidifying his race win and the green jersey. Impey "escaped" with a broken a tooth, stitches in his face and elbow, and sustained a slight fracture in L1 part of his vertebrae. What a f'ed up way to win a race.

Bos's actions in my opinon are the farthest thing from "critscum" mentality... it is just "scum."




Photo © Thierry Gromik & Presidential Tour of Turkey