Another motorbike collision...

[Michael Maddox]

Viviani was plowed into by a television motorbike during the Arenburg pileup today. Seems he's okay, but when are these idiots going to figure out that coverage, while important, isn't MORE important than rider safety?

Did you notice in the coverage how CLOSE these things are to the riders? How would you like to be rolling behind one of these, spewing exhaust and dust in your face...not to mention ROCKS...for 160 miles? And when you stop for a pileup, you risk simply being run down from behind!

I watched A Sunday in Hell for the thousandth time last night, and MAN, this has been going on since the motorbike was invented!

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/04/news/crashes-send-several-roubaix-riders-to-the-hospital_402165

[gone]

Seems he's okay, but when are these idiots going to figure out that coverage, while important, isn't MORE important than rider safety?

I think the answer to your question is "never".

Even if it were one of the big names or favorites who gets run over just imagine the boost in ratings/new stores/name recognition/youtube videos/etc.

Coverage = $
Riders = expendable

[Mark McM]

Viviani was plowed into by a television motorbike during the Arenburg pileup today. Seems he's okay, but when are these idiots going to figure out that coverage, while important, isn't MORE important than rider safety?

More important to whom? The TV coverage is what pays for races. It pays the promoters directly, and it pays the racers indirectly (the sponsors pay the team to race in exchange for the media coverage that racing gets).

Clearly, there must be a compromise between media coverage and safety, and maybe it's been tipping too much in one direction, but when push comes to shove, it is the coverage that is the product, and the racers are merely a means to an end.