Paris-Roubaix race: Rail firm SNCF calls for police action against cyclists who jumped barrier

Some cyclists narrowly missed being hit by a high-speed train

Team Giant-Alpecin German cyclist John Degenkolb rides to win the 113th edition of the Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix one-day classic cycling race in Roubaix on April 12, 2015. (AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURELIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

France’s state-owned rail firm is calling for police action against cyclists who crossed over train tracks just seconds before a high-speed train sped past during a professional race on Sunday.

SNCF has called the incident “irresponsible”, as cyclists competing in the Paris-Roubaix in northern France could have been slammed into by a TGV train.

After some riders crossed the tracks 162km (100miles) into the event, a railway crossing gate came down, and nearly hit one rider from the Belgian Lotto team according to the Telegraph. Other competitors were forced to wait for the train to pass.

The precarious situation saw some riders go around the gate barrier to cross the train track – actions strictly forbidden by the International Cyclist Union (UCI).

The UCI has responded by requesting a report into the "extremely worrying" incident, which could lead to disciplinary action against cyclists. The organisation not yet disciplined any riders, citing difficulties in quickly identifying those at fault.

The pack is stopped at a level during the 113th edition of the Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix one-day classic cycling race in Wallers on April 12, 2015.

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In a statement announcing the legal action, SNCF accused “several riders” of “deliberately” travelling over a level crossing “which is against all safety regulations.”

The firm added: “Millions of TV viewers were able to watch this unauthorised crossing which was extremely serious and irresponsible, that could have ended in tragedy.

"SNCF has decided to lodge a legal complaint and will leave it up to the investigation to determine who was responsible and we regret that such foolhardiness took place.“

It went on to explain that it spends €30 million a year to trying to reduce accidents at railway crossings.

Riders held up by the train were instead allowed to regain the positions they held before the incident.

The race, won by John Degenkolb of Germany, was the final elite road event for Sir Bradley Wiggins, in which he came in 18th.