'Horrific consequences': Aussie star almost hit by car in Tour of Britain

Australian cyclist Maeve Plouffe revealed she narrowly avoided being hit by a car during the Tour of Britain this week, urging race organizers to reassess safety protocols. Plouffe, a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, requested the organizers to review safety procedures after she described a harrowing encounter with a car while trying to catch up to other riders.

This incident occurred during the race's opening stage in Cumbria, where she suffered a puncture and mentioned cars from the general public approaching her from various directions, including one that nearly collided with her at a roundabout.

Her warnings come in the wake of British rider Finlay Tarling's tragic death last week during the Volta a Portugal. Tarling was struck by a non-race light goods vehicle that had inadvertently entered the race course. Plouffe expressed her concern over the recent tragedies in the cycling community, emphasizing that incidents like these can have devastating consequences. She specifically referenced the 19-year-old Tarling's fatal high-speed collision with a van during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.

The Tour of Britain's organizers, British Cycling Ventures, have taken Plouffe's comments seriously. Jonathan Day, the events director, stated that rider safety is paramount and that they will conduct a thorough review of the situation with Plouffe's team, O Shea Red Chilli Bikes. The organization emphasized their commitment to addressing these concerns amid the challenging circumstances facing the cycling community.