A female spectator who caused a huge crash during the Tour de France is to face legal action, organizers have confirmed.
Yesterday (June 26), an unnamed woman was caught on television cameras stepping out onto the road with a giant cardboard sign as the speeding peloton rode by.
Appearing to smile at the cameras and with her back to the dozens of cyclists behind her, the woman's sign collided with German cyclist Tony Martin. His tumble created a chaotic domino effect that sent many of the cyclists crashing down with 47km of the stage of the race left to go.
The spectator's sign read "Go, grandpa and grandma" in a mix of French and German.
Per RTE and News.com.au, the event's organizers have revealed that they plan to sue the spectator.
Tour deputy director Pierre-Yves Thouault told AFP: "We are suing this woman who behaved so badly."
Viewers were quick to take to social media to share their thoughts and reactions to the crash and the spectator.
Journalist Juliet Macur tweeted: "An imbecile fan caused this massive crash at the #TourDeFrance2021 by holding a sign that jutted into the course and took down the first of countless riders. The sign said, ‘Go, grandpa and grandma’. Those grandparents must be so proud."
Another Twitter user wrote: "FFS what an absolute clown at the Tour De France... A fan standing too close with a sign takes out Tony Martin and 4/5ths of the Peloton.... Complete idiot if you ask me."
And cycling reporter Daniel McMahon simply wrote: "The worst Tour de France crash I've ever seen".
The race was delayed for five minutes as cyclists and bikes were untwined.
Among the riders to take a tumble was four-time champion Chris Froome, who was pictured clutching his leg. Holland's Wout van Aert and Italian champion Sonny Colbrelli both also lost time - despite being two of the favorites to win the first stage hilltop finish.
France's Julian Alaphilippe was the fortunate cyclist to win the first stage of the Tour and secure the inaugural leader's yellow jersey.
Unbelievably, the crash was the second considerable collision of the day, with a second incident taking down numerous bikers 7.5km from the finish.
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