The CPA riders' association protested poor road conditions that led to a crash on Saturday's stage 4, injuring Tour de France riders Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) and Emmanuel Buchmann (Beulah-Hansgrohe), They admitted to Cycling News that they had neutralized the first few kilometers of stage 5 of the Criterium du Dauphiné.

The CPA said the neutralization was a first statement of intent, as it had begun to take a stronger position on safety after the accidents of Fabio Jacobsen at the Tour de Pollogne and Remco Evenepoel at Il Lombardia.

According to a CPA statement, the riders and the CPA "found the first 10 km of the descent of stage 5 of the French race too dangerous and requested that it be neutralized, referring to what happened yesterday on stage 4."

"The riders want to send a clear signal of protest to both the organizers and the UCI, referring to the serious crashes and accidents that have occurred in recent races.

There was little evidence of protest as there was no television coverage of the early stages of the race. The race website reported that the start was delayed due to two riders having mechanical problems in the neutral zone, but it is unclear if this was part of the CPA's protest.

The CPA said it is prepared to force the UCI and race organizers to do more to protect rider safety. It also called for a review of UCI regulations regarding safety obligations.

"The CPA requests the UCI and all stakeholders in cycling to set up a round table to initiate a revision of the rules in order to get clear feedback in terms of prevention and sanctions against race organizers. The goal is to protect the physical integrity of the athletes and allow them to perform their jobs more safely," the CPA stated.

Tom Dumoulin described the descent of the Col de Plan Bois at the beginning of stage 4 as a "disgrace" after Kruijswijk dislocated his shoulder and fell. The injury has put Kruijswijk's participation in the Tour de France in jeopardy.

"That descent in the race is a disgrace," the Dutchman said.

"The whole descent was really tricky, but the first couple of kilometers were full of gravel, pot holes, bumpy roads, and 15 percent drops. I can't believe they did this during the race. ...... I'm really pissed off and I feel bad for Stevie.

On Sunday, his Jumbo-Visma team manager, Richard Plugg, revealed that many teams are discussing safety improvements to protect riders.

Plugge said he no longer has confidence in the safety controls the UCI has in place at races and called for an outside company to check and audit races to ensure that they respect the safety measures necessary to protect riders.

"I have discussed this matter with the other team leaders and we no longer have confidence in the controls that the UCI has in place," Pragge told Dutch television station NOS.

The UCI, the international cycling federation, now checks itself to see if races meet safety requirements.

"It has to be different. Our helmets have been tested 1,000 times, yet in a race the UCI is quick to say, "It will be." That's not good enough."

"For example, the way barriers are placed along the course as well as the special conditions in the last kilometer where there is a group sprint.

"I hope this will be introduced next season. Then the (outside) companies will say to the organization, 'We have to do better. It has to be safer for the riders.'"