Discuss: Tour de Crash 2011?

Fotoreporter Sirotti

If there’s a topic that seems to be on everyone’s mind today, it’s all of the carnage we’ve seen at this year’s Tour de France. With the GC field significantly diminished, and a pair of absolutely ridiculous accidents caused by support vehicles, and some horrifying moments (Chris Horner’s interview; Johnny Hoogerland’s bloody arse; Alexander Vinokourov being carried back onto the road, limp-legged, by two Astana teammates),  the incidents in the first 9 stages have had a marked affect on the race.

While many feel its the crashiest tour they can remember, others have pointed out that it isn’t, statistically speaking, worse than prior editions..

It seems everyone has an explanation as to what’s to blame – jittery riders nervous because of the lack of GC separation, overly light equipment, a dangerous parcours, too many riders, too many cars. What do you think is going on? Most importantly, what should be done to fix an apparently serious problem?