To avoid erroneous jury decisions, professional judges must be present at major cycling events. That is what cycling journalist Raymond Kerckhoffs says following the photo finish in the Amstel Gold Race.
The Limburg arrival judge Armand van Mulken pointed out the wrong winner in the first instance on Sunday. After studying the photo finish, it turned out not Benoît Cosnefroy, but Michal Kwiatkowski had won the Amstel Gold Race.
World Tour
That is why the cycling journalist argues for professional jury members at the World Tour races. These are the major and well-known races in cycling, such as the spring classics, the three big rounds and a number of multi-day races. “That must be a full-time job, because they have to make decisions at various sprints in a year. For example, think of finish photos, but also when it comes to disqualifications in the sprint. This function must be taken seriously.”
Referee
Kerckhoffs doesn’t understand why Van Mulken made a quick decision, shortly after Cosnefroy and Kwiatkowski crossed the finish line. “It was just really stupid to think you saw it with the naked eye, when you have equipment,” says the cycling journalist, referring to the finish photo that shows exactly who crosses the finish line first. “When in doubt, a football referee also goes to a video screen to take another look.”
Serious
Kerckhoffs has known Van Mulken for many years. “First he was a cyclist and then an organizer and a member of the jury. He is someone who takes his work seriously. It is a pity that he makes such a mistake at such a large race.”