Neutral service driver who hit Jesse Sergent at Tour of Flanders fined 150 euros
A Belgian magistrates court handed the 44-year-old man the fine for incident in 2015
The driver who struck Trek rider Jesse Sergent at the 2015 Tour of Flanders has been handed a 150 euro fine by Belgian magistrates.
Sergent had made it in to the day's main breakaway at the Flandrian Monument, before he was taken down by a Shimano neutral service car that was trying to pass the escape group on the left hand side knocked the New Zealander to the right as they took a bend. Sergent was unable to continue the race and spent time on the sidelines following the crash, returning four months later at the Tour de Wallonie.
Shimano issued an apology for the incident, as well as another collision in the same race which saw Sebastian Chavanel hit by another neutral service car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX5Uec2A5r0
While no action came from the Chavanel incident, the driver who took down Sergent was prosecuted and has appeared at a magistrates court in the city of Oudenaarde. He was handed a 150 euro fine for the offence and told Het Laatste Nieuws “that day will stay with me for the rest of my life.” The man was reported to be a 44-year-old chief inspector with the police.
Sergent called time his career in 2016 at the age of just 28, having joined French squad Ag2r La Mondiale for the 2016 season. The double Olympic medallist struggled to regain form after the injury, but cited lack of enjoyment for pulling away from the sport.
"My decision was pretty simple really; I just stopped enjoying the racing, the training, the lifestyle," Sergent told Radio Sport earlier this year. "Over time it just got more and more and slowly ate away at me."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
I’m a fat cyclist; these are the top 3 misconceptions people have about bigger riders and why they’re wrong
After my recent 'We're fat cyclists' reel went viral, I realized I had hit a nerve
By Marley Blonsky Published
-
8 pro mechanic set-up hacks inspired by the Spring Classics
Riding the rough stuff? Glen Whittington, our resident pro mechanic, ramps up speed and comfort with hacks from the cobbled classics
By Glen Whittington Published
-
Five things to look out for ahead of the Tour of Flanders
Lidl-Trek's impressive form and Mathieu van der Poel's explosive start to the Classics season could make for quite the contest this weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert gears towards career-defining fortnight in new, enlightened mindset
Belgian admits pressure has weighed heavily on his shoulders in the past as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix come around once more
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tour of Flanders, Giro d'Italia, Paris-Roubaix Femmes: Cycling Weekly's races of the year for 2023
Our writers pick their best moments from an enthralling 2023, what do you think?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rider slapped with 30 day suspension for causing Tour of Flanders mass pile-up
Filip Maciejuk banned from racing for a month after careering into the front of the bunch after taking to the pavement
By Vern Pitt Published
-
‘I couldn’t quite believe it’ - Charlie Quarterman on his rags to riches Giro d’Italia selection
The British rider spent a year at amateur level with Philippe Wagner Cycling before heading back to the top with Corratec
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Giving up the Giro breaks my heart’ – Trek’s Giulio Ciccone forced out of home tour by Covid symptoms
Italian was relishing leading Trek’s challenge at Giro that starts in his home region
By Peter Cossins Published
-
Lizzie Deignan to return to racing at Flèche Wallonne, is a possibility for Liège–Bastogne–Liège
Trek-Segafredo finalise roster for Wednesday's Ardennes Classic, with Deignan returning for the first time since 2021
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jumbo-Visma perfect until it really mattered: Five things we learned from the men's cobbled Classic season
Tadej Pogačar should be lining up a tilt at Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel has won almost everything he can, and Ineos Grenadiers underwhelmed
By Adam Becket Published