Getting past the safety bars at a high speed train crossing, during the race, normally gets riders disqualified. In 2006, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers all pulled this stunt, and were booted.
Not this weekend. The race officials nullified the heat, got the front an back groups back together, and then let them all get back to racing.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/french-railway-seeks-investigation-of-irresponsible-paris-roubaix-riders
"Several riders deliberately, and against all safety rules, crossed a closed safety barrier," said a SNCF statement. “Millions of television viewers saw live this extremely grave and irresponsible action which could have been tragic.”
As the peloton approached the crossing, the barriers began falling. Riders rode on through, around and under the barriers.
Race organizers declined to penalize the riders, saying they would not have been able to stop in time. A motorcycle policeman held back the rest of the group, which was only about 20 riders. The race was subsequently neutralized for a short spell to allow the group to get back together.
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