1 day ago
14
Tour de France viewers were left shocked on Saturday when INEOS' team car knocked down a spectator on a mountain road.
The fan had been stood in the road filming cyclists as they went by when the Ineos-Grenadiers vehicle hit them, sending them sprawling and their phone flying.
It is unknown what condition the fan is in but the car was travelling at a low speed behind the bikers as they climbed the Col de Peyresourde during stage 14.
Organisers told Reuters they were not aware of the accident while Ineos-Grenadiers were not immediately available for comment.
The Ineos-Grenadiers team is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and was around 200 metres from the summit of the climb.
It was following Ineos' Thymen Arensman, with team-mate Carlos Rodriguez leading the chasing group behind him.
Jerome Coppel, an analyst for RMC Sport, said: 'It's always very complicated on these passes. There are people on both sides of the road which isn't very wide.
'The team directors have to get back up and ensure safety in case the leading rider gets a puncture.
'They try to get back up and the counter group won't let them pass. There isn't enough space and sometimes, unfortunately, we see this kind of thing.
'The driver risks being penalised. Having been in the car behind the peloton, it's really complicated when you have to move up the line.'
More to follow.
