- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Spectators at the 2015 Giro d’Italia are once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, as more carnage was caused on Stage 6 as a member of the crowd, leaning over the fence to take a photo, clipped a rider causing a huge pile-up.
The rider that came into contact with the spectator, Daniele Coli of Nippo-Vini Fantini, was sent tumbling to the ground, sustaining a horrific broken arm in the fall.
Race favourite and leader, Alberto Contador, was also taken down in the carnage, suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Following the race, Contador appeared upbeat about his chances at continuing the Tour, Coli’s race however is certainly over.
Contador stated: “I haven’t broken anything, but I have suffered a dislocation of the left shoulder.
“The doctors have recommended that I immobilise my left arm during the evening and night, while I try to move it a bit with the help of my other arm to promote the movement of the shoulder.
“I will try to start tomorrow on stage 7. I will try to continue until the very last moment.”
The incident comes just days after an intruder caused a huge crash on Stage 2, after attempting to sneak into the peloton on his own bicycle.
With so many kilometres of road to monitor during a Grand Tour, it is understandable that organisers struggle to keep the divide between spectators and athletes in place. For many fans, the distance to the riders is a huge drawcard for getting out to the events.
But surely, in the wake of these two highly preventable incidents, more focus must be put on ensuring rider safety, even if at the expense of the spectator experience.
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.