Crash at Vuelta a Extremadura after spectator moves into road
Spectator was attempting to film the action at Spanish race
![Spectators at a cycle race in Spain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VhZpNneHmCLxYfUM5PeE8S-415-80.jpg)
A spectator at the Vuelta a Extremadura caused a rider to suffer a crash last Thursday, after they struck the cyclist while attempting to film the action.
According to the Daily Mirror, the five-day event, which is hosted in south western Spain annually, saw a cyclist knocked off his bike by a fan who got too close to the onrushing peloton near the end of stage three.
The female spectator was on the side of the road, but had her arm outstretched into the as she recorded the action.
A rider then struck her arm as the race passed, sending them both crashing to the floor.
“We want to make a call to the responsibility of the public so that accidents like the one experienced at the end of today’s stage are not repeated,” organisers said in an official statement released after the incident.
Owen Lightfoot, a cyclist participating in the event, called the crash “very upsetting”.
“Went for the bunch sprint today, was in near perfect position when the rider ahead of me was taken out by a spectator filming with a phone,” he said. “It’s important to keep your distance and not invade the road at the pace of the race.”
"Having spectators is great and makes the racing much more enjoyable, the sport wouldn’t be what it is without them. But I don’t know why people feel the need to film and put their phone out in front of riders going at 60km/h when the race is already being filmed and televised already, endangering riders and themselves,” he added.
"We put in a lot of hours and sacrifice a lot for an opportunity to get results, just to be taken out this way is very upsetting. I am very lucky to only have some road rash as it could have been much worse."
Luis Carlos Chia won stage three, which finished in Valencia de Alcantara.
The incident brought back memories of the crash at the 2021 Tour de France, when a woman holding a sign took out Tony Martin, which led to a mass pile up in one of the race’s early stages.
The female spectator involved narrowly avoided a jail sentence in relation to the huge crash.
A post shared by Owen Lightfoot (@owen.lightfoot)
A photo posted by on
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
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world.
As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and helps with coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I'm definitely pushing over 2,500 watts' - Meet the most powerful cyclists in the GB Olympics squad
Move over track sprinters, there are stronger legs in town
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Coppi, Pantani, Van Vleuten, Pogačar: A look at the Giro-Tour double winners club
Tadej Pogačar has now officially joined the club, becoming the eighth man to achieve one of professional cycling’s most sought after accolades
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How do Tour de France time cuts work?
Any riders finishing too far behind are eliminated from the race - we look into the details of the complicated system
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tour de France Netflix series confirmed for third season
Unchained series renewed with upcoming season to cover 2024 Tour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
13 things you didn’t know about Biniam Girmay, the first Black rider to win a Tour de France stage
Meet the Eritrean rider making history with three Tour de France stage wins to his name and wearing the green jersey
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
12 things you didn’t know about American Matteo Jorgenson, Vingegaard's lieutenant at the Tour
The Team Visma-Lease a Bike rider is one of just three Americans riding in the Tour de France this year but he's got a lot of responsibility
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'There's always wine' - Marc Madiot offers unique dinner experience for fans at Tour de France
Ever wanted to share a bottle of wine with Groupama-FDJ's manager? Now's your chance
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tour de France 2024 tech: New superbikes, unreleased wheels and aero bottles
There's fresh tech everywhere in the team paddocks of the biggest bike race in the world
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Jan Hirt breaks teeth after fans invade team paddock at Tour de France
Soudal Quick-Step rider starts stage despite bloody injury
By Tom Davidson Published