I've waited 9 years, so i've got to know now!

[Accy cyclist]

Was this legal?
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtZhG2kWVLY
I thought at the time, and still do that cutting corners in a race was not allowed. Why was it allowed?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

As far as I can tell, he didn't overtake anyone/benefit as a result. Besides, he was taking evasive action and it wasn't a deliberate act.

 

[Red Light]

Not half as blatant as this corner cut he did to win.

 

[oldroadman]

Strictly speaking, he failed to cover about 200 metres of the course. But given the situation and no advantage gained, why would there be a problem. Masterpiece of handling and no harm done, after all he avoided Beloki who ended up with a braken hip from the 75+ kph fall. Force Majeure, and all that. Not like cutting through a garage forecourt to nip past the peloton on a corner in the last few km (which I have seen and got the rider DQ'd).

 

[montage]

Riding on drugs is always illegal

 

[Noodley]

There was a clip on ITV4 highlights show the other night of the year that Roche won the Tour, the front riders were tapping away up a mountain hairpin when another rider about 5 or 6 back stopped at the side of the road, took a few steps up the rocks and jumped back on in the lead I'd never seen the clip before.

 

[Blue]

As far as I can tell, he didn't overtake anyone/benefit as a result. Besides, he was taking evasive action and it wasn't a deliberate act.

IIRC this was, more or less, the reason given by the race ref., at the time.