2021, Volume 1, Issue 1

An accident right before the finish of the first stage of the 77th edition of the Tour de Pologne – legal characterisation of the accident through the prism of criminal law

Cezary Waldziński¹, Aleksandra Durzyńska¹, Tomasz Waldziński¹, Kazimierz Kochanowicz<sup>2

1</sup>Lomza State University of Applied Sciences
²Department of Theory of Sport and Human Motricity, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport


Author for correspondence: Aleksandra Durzyńska; Lomza State University of Applied Sciences; email: adurzynska@pwsip.edu.pl

Full text

Abstract

On August 5, 2020 the first of five stages of the 77th edition of the Tour de Pologne took place. In the final meters of the first stage of the race around Poland, an unfortunate accident occurred. Jumbo-Visma rider, Dylan Groenewegen, who fought for the victory, deviated from his line and by going to the right prevented Fabio Jakobsen from riding and finishing the race. As a result, the Deceuninck-Quick-Step cyclist hit the barriers at high speed and suffered very serious injuries. Fabio Jakobsen, a talented cyclist, was taken to hospital in a severe condition. One of the judges who stood nearby and handled the photocell as well as numerous cyclists from the peloton were also seriously injured. By the commissaires’ panel decision Dylan Groenewegen was disqualified and excluded from further competition. The Union Cycliste Internationale considered the cyclist’s behaviour unacceptable and referred the matter to the Disciplinary Commission, to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts. It will be extremely difficult to determine that the injuries suffered by Fabio Jakobsen in the crash at the finish of the first stage of the 77th Tour de Pologne were caused under the conditions of sport risk justification.

Key words: criminal law, accident, Tour de Pologne