The downhill finish in Katowice, which has been used in recent years as the finish line for the Tour de Pollogne (open in new tab) stage, could be removed from the race route in 2021. Organizers and local officials are discussing different route scenarios in order to avoid riders setting record speeds in the finish sprint.

In the first stage of the 2020 event, Dylan Groenewegen (opens in new tab) crushed Fabio Jacobsen (opens in new tab) toward the finish line barriers, causing a career-threatening crash that sent the barriers flying and multiple riders down ( (opens in new tab).

Race director Czeslaw Lang and a representative from the Katowice press office acknowledged to Cycling News that Katowice would be back on the 2021 race route, but said it was too early to discuss specifics.

"The UCI has ruled on the matter. We are considering different scenarios and talking to local officials," - Lang told Cycling News.

The 2021 Tour de Pollogne is scheduled for August 9-15, about a week later than in 2019 due to a change in the World Tour calendar and the Tokyo Olympics in early August.

Details of the 2021 route will be revealed in the spring of 2021, but will largely depend on the prevalence of COVID-19.

"Preliminary discussions on the race route are currently underway, with many variations being considered. At this stage, there are no details on the finish line venue," a representative of the Katowice press office told Cycling News.

Katowice's slightly downhill finish has seen riders record high speeds in the final sprint over the past few years.

In August, Dylan Groenewegen drove Fabio Jacobsen into the barriers, ending the stage with a big crash that brought down several riders. The Jumbo Visma sprinter broke off the line and chased down the Dečuninck-Quick Step rider. Jacobsen crashed into the barriers at high speed, engulfing the barriers and the jury.

The Dutch sprinter suffered serious facial injuries, including severe damage to his jaw and teeth. He was hospitalized in Sosnowiec and fell into a coma. He regained consciousness two days later and went on to recover, undergoing several reconstructive surgeries in the process; the 24-year-old was recently seen riding a bicycle and hopes to resume full training and compete in races again.

Groenewegen, who broke his collarbone in the crash, apologized and said the incident "will forever be a black page in my career." He was handed a nine-month retroactive ban by the UCI in November and is currently suspended until May 7, 2021.

His finish in Katowice has been criticized by several professional and former professional athletes, as well as the athletes' CPA union.

Former sprinter Robbie McEwen was upset that Jacobsen broke through the barriers so easily, telling Cycling News, "A good barrier has to be sturdy. The boards on the front of the barrier must also come down at an angle and touch the road. Everything must deflect riders to the road."

In August, Lang told Cycling News that "everything is safely prepared" and defended the course setting, saying, "It's not a crowded sprint. Riders will go through this section three or four times so they can see it beforehand."

While some posted on social media immediately after the accident, CPA president Gianni Buño asked the UCI to investigate whether all regulations had been followed, and a proposal to introduce a universal, pre-approved standard barrier in the finish area He urged them to move on the

After discussions with the Professional Cycling Council (PCC), the UCI announced on December 10 that it had agreed to 14 safety measures, including race finish barrier standards, and was awaiting permission from the Eagle.

The case is still under investigation by the Prosecutor's Office in Katowice.

An investigation has been opened into unintentional and intentional injury, a crime punishable by up to three years in prison under the Polish Criminal Code. Since the incident occurred during a sporting event, it is not clear whether or not he will be prosecuted.

A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office told Cycling News that the investigation has been extended until February 6, 2021.

"The collection of evidence necessary for the criminal case evaluation is still ongoing. Members of the race jury are among the witnesses, and investigators have secured UCI documents, some of which have been translated from English. In the course of the investigation, we are also looking into whether this stage was held (secured) according to the relevant regulations," Marta Zawada-Divec said in an email.