According to reports, the drivers of the two neutral service cars who were responsible for the crashes that injured Jesse Sergent and Sébastien Chavanel during last Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, have been identified as former Lotto CSC rider Paul Van Hyfte and an unnamed police officer.
Sergent was part of a seven-man breakaway, when he collided with a Shimano car as during the halfway point of the race, that was being driven by the officer – who claims to have no recollection of what caused the incident.
As a result, the Trek Factory Racing rider was left with a broken collarbone.
In the other incident involving a Shimano car, Van Hyfte was driving when it struck the the rear of FDJ’s team car, subsequently causing the door to fly open and strike Chavanel.
Shimano issued an apology after the race, stating:
“At Shimano we apologize for both incidents the Shimano sponsored neutral caused today at the Tour of Flanders.
“We especially apologize to the riders and teams involved, Jesse Sergent of Trek Factory Racing and Sébastien Chavanel of Française des Jeux. We wish them a speedy recovery.
“The drivers of the neutral cars are professionals with many years of experience in professional cycling races. We will investigate both incidents deeply and take appropriate action.”
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