A spectator was overthrown by the car in the Ineos Grenadiers training on Saturday during the 14th stage of the Tour de France. The sanction fell into stride.
It is a spectacular accident that gave birth on the 14the act of Tour de France Saturday when the runners joined Luchon-Superbagnères. At the top of the Col de Peyresourde, while he was trying to join a Thymen Arensman then on the way for a resounding victory, the sports director of Team Ineos Grenadiers failed.
Probably focused on bikers who exceeded him on the left of his vehicle, Olivier Cokson did not see a spectator a little reckless too advanced on the bitumen and struck her full whip at the height of the hips. A shock violent sufficiently to switch the victim and rush it to the ground with a crash.
“” It’s an accident, hope the person is going well “Reacted the former runner Zakkari Dempster, present in the incriminated car. That while regretting that ” Many spectators do not really respect the race ». According to the Agency France Presse, the said spectator was able to get up immediately after the impact. “” There was no emergency trigger “, Specifies for his part the lieutenant-colonel Frédéric Beretti, liaison officer of the gendarmerie on the Grande Boucle, thus relayed by Le Parisien.
Cookson sanctioned, but not too much …
“” Our sincere thoughts and apologies go to this person who has been accidentally and unfortunately hit by one of our racing cars as she supported the runners during the stage this SaturdayFor his part reacted ineos grenadiers in a press release. Like all teams, we take great care to maintain a safe race environment for everyone – including passionate fans who make our sport so special. “”
If a drama has certainly been avoided, the jury of the racing commissioners has nevertheless raged, in accordance with the rules set by the organization of the Tour de France. Oliver Cookson was therefore sanctioned for ” incorrect behavior endangering spectators ». The interested party thus receives a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs (5,361 euros) and a yellow card. In the event of a new incident, it will be excluding the sports director of the Ineos Grenadiers team.
