PERROS-GUIREC, France – French police on Sunday have been nonetheless in search of the spectator who despatched Tony Martin and, consequently, a big a part of the Tour de France peloton, crashing within the opening stage amid requires followers to behave on the aspect of the highway.
On Saturday, Martin was despatched tumbling when he rode straight right into a cardboard signal being held out by a fan wanting the opposite method at a tv digicam, creating chaos with 47 kilometres left of the stage.
“The Landerneau police are investigating and we haven’t heard again from them but,” Tour deputy director Pierre-Yves Thouault informed Reuters after organisers ASO filed a lawsuit towards the unidentified spectator.
“We’re going to repeat our requires followers to behave again and again, via the police on the aspect of the highway and our social community,” Thouault added.
“Many of the followers are peaceable however I wish to stress that you simply come see the Tour, you don’t take selfies, you retain your children near you.”
Israel-Begin Up Nation sports activities supervisor Rik Verbrugghe mentioned that whereas riders loved the assist of followers, they created an additional stress within the peloton.
“It’s a superb factor to have all these followers on the aspect of the highway but it surely brings further stress, further hazard,” he informed reporters.
“We noticed additionally the primary crash was due to a fan. More often than not the followers make it fairly harmful as a result of they make the highway narrower. But it surely’s a part of the sport, that’s what makes biking so thrilling and so lovely.”
Martin, one among dozens of riders to hit the bottom on Saturday, urged the followers to be extra respectful.
“This message is for the individuals who suppose that the Tour de France is a circus, for the individuals who threat the whole lot for a selfie with a 50 kph quick peloton… please respect the riders and the Tour de France,” the German wrote on Instagram.
“Use your head or keep dwelling!”
