Tour de France 2023: Fan looks to take selfie, causes huge crash

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Tour de France 2023 fan, who was looking to take a selfie, has led to a crash on stage 15, involving around 20 riders. The handlebars of Team Jumbo-Visma rider Sepp Kuss were knocked by a spectator, who was holding a phone. The mishap happened when about 125 km were remaining.

This led Kuss to swerve into his team-mate Nathan van Hooydonck, who fell off his bike. It caused a huge crash behind him. After crashes, six riders abandoned in stage 14 on Saturday.

The riders, who fell in a crash on Sunday on the 179-km stage from Les Gets les Portes du Soleil to Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, were able to continue. It included 2019 champion Egan Bernal. In the crash, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar were unaffected.

Tour de France’s official Twitter account also posted a slow-motion clip where a rider can be seen ducking under a spectator's outstretched arm with the message, «Please pay attention to the riders.» «Please be always aware when watching cycling at the side of the road,» Team Jumbo-Visma posted on social media. «Please be careful. So that the party remains a party for the runners but also for you.

You don't need a cell phone to create mind-blowing memories,» Team Confidis tweeted. On Twitter, Team Jayco AlUla said, «It looks like the crash was caused by a fan. Please respect the riders and give them space!» INEOS Grenadiers also posted, «If you are spectating at this amazing event, please give the riders room to race.»FAQs