not in the timeline but important nonetheless. burl simon in cool and cloudy
los angeles
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From: "Mary Conte" <mcaconte@hotmail.com>
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Subject: It's about time...
Date: Thu, 01 May 2003 18:35:47 +0000
>From the Weekly Roadrider Newletter
sent from someone who has landed on her head more than once!
Mary
Several issues ago, we mentioned the death of pro roadie Andrei Kivilev in the Paris-Nice stage race. Riding without a helmet, he was involved in a seemingly minor crash but died of a head injury.
Now the governing body of pro cycling has announced that hardshell helmets will be mandatory in all races. The new rule may be in effect as early as the start of the Giro d'Italia on May 10.
Helmets have been seen more and more in the pro peloton, thanks to young riders joining the cash ranks each season. They had to wear helmets as amateurs, so they feel at home in them.
Older pros, given the choice, will often race bareheaded.
They will no longer have a choice -- unless they're willing to pay a fine. That may be the loophole that allows riders to discard helmets on long, hot climbs in the Tour de France and other events. It appears helmet violations won't be grounds for disqualification.
Even so, the new rule is an important step ahead. We'll never know if Kivilev would have survived his crash if he'd been wearing a helmet. But we do know that his skull was smashed while not wearing one.