A crash that left a Tour of Qatar cyclist with a broken collarbone this week has prompted calls for race organizers to improve the safety standards of the course design.

Yesterday’s incident took place in the final 500m when several riders crossed through a gap in the road’s concrete median.

According to Velonews, at least one rider said the incident could have “easily been avoided” with proper barricades.

“We are not asking for all risk to be removed from pro cycling. We simply ask that race organizers use the most basic common sense to make courses safe in the most dangerous part of the course – the last 5 km,” Michael Carcaise, the executive director of the Association of North American Professional Road Cyclists, said, according to Cyclingnews.

Today’s 11km stage runs alongside the Losail International Circuit, sports arena and shooting complex.

Thoughts?