ANOTHER frightening Christmas carnivals cycling crash has again raised concerns about safety in the series.
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Two riders needed extensive treatment on the Latrobe track after crashing on the same corner as another serious pile-up a year ago.
The incident is the latest in a series of crashes that have marred the carnivals cycling in recent years.
Burnie doctor Tom McDonagh was the first to go down towards the end of the fourth heat of the 2000-metre AJ Clarke and Sons handicap.
Attempting to avoid the trouble, New South Wales rider Joshua Lind then fell over the edge of the track on to a railing that circles the Latrobe Oval.
Paramedics treated both riders for about half an hour while the cycling program was held up. Police at the scene confirmed that they were taken to the Mersey Community Hospital suffering from chest injuries.
Commentator Steve Daley later told patrons that both had sustained fractured ribs but were not seriously hurt.
Ironically, McDonagh was the doctor who treated Matt Glaetzer on the same corner when the South Australian crashed last year.
The most serious carnivals crash occurred in Devonport in 2008 and left Seamus Liptrot wheelchair-bound.
The South Australian never recovered from his injuries and died earlier this year.
Cyclists were swift to air concerns about the tracks after the latest crash.
``That's the reason I don't do scratch races,'' said New Zealander Simon van Velthooven, who rode in the event's first heat.
``I didn't ride in it last year and there was a big crash and I thought I wouldn't again this year. The track needs a fence around it.''
