Richard Plugge, the manager of the Visma-Lease a Bike cycling team, has issued a sharp critique of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) following the death of young cyclist Fin Tarling ten days ago. Plugge expressed frustration with the governing body’s leadership, specifically calling out UCI president David Lappartient for a perceived lack of urgency and public leadership regarding race safety protocols.

In his comments, Plugge argued that the current approach to preventing fatal accidents in professional cycling is insufficient. He stated that the sport’s leadership has failed to adequately address how to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The criticism centers on the idea that the UCI has not taken a strong enough stance to overhaul safety measures that might protect riders during competition.

Beyond criticizing the governing body, Plugge suggested a shift in the power dynamic of the sport. He proposed that professional cycling teams may need to move toward taking direct responsibility for safety standards themselves, rather than relying solely on the UCI to implement changes. While Plugge’s comments highlight a growing tension between team management and the sport's regulators, the UCI has not yet issued a formal response to these specific allegations or outlined new safety initiatives in the wake of the incident.