Romain Bardet called on the riders to respect each other and avoid excessive risks during the race after a mass crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège injured many riders and world champion Julien Alaphilippe suffered a fractured shoulder blade, two broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. He called on the riders to respect each other and avoid taking excessive risks during the race.

Bardet was fortunate to escape serious consequences from the crash, sacrificing his chances in Liège-Bastogne-Liège to climb a tree and save Alaphilippe before the emergency services arrived.

"Julien was very scared. I fell on the same side and saw him three meters below me. He said to me, 'I can't move, I can't move. Bardet told French radio channel RMC after the race.

"It's a scene you really want to avoid in cycling. I tried to call someone, but the cars were blocked and it took a very long time. It only happened for four or five minutes, but it was a really shocking scene. I don't ride a bike to see people falling down like that."

On Monday, Balde posted a message on social media, downplaying the generous act against Alaphilippe and discussing the details that may have triggered the accident.

"It is still difficult to put into words what happened yesterday. After that fall, I saw the misery on people's faces and on their injured bodies. [At over 70 km/h the roar of the group turned to chaos, the sound of equipment breaking and screams could be heard.

"I am very moved by all the reports, but in fact, I think anyone would have done the same had they been in that situation.

As a leading French rider, team leader of Team DSM, and a former podium finisher at the Tour de France, Bardet has the experience and authority to demand respect and consideration among riders.

"This accident makes me think about our shared responsibility to prevent such accidents, which can have tragic consequences, and the respect we should show each other as riders.

"I saw it all happen. When Tom Pidcock and Jeremy Cabot collided, I was right behind them. When you take risks to get to the top, the responsibility can have serious consequences for the 100 people behind you."

"I don't mean to blame anyone, much less monopolize the truth. It's just that you can put your heart and soul into a sport and your passion for racing, and in an instant it can turn into a tragedy and undermine the beauty of the sport."

"I wish all the riders who were affected a speedy recovery."