Racing up a climb to the finish, battling it out with another rider for a podium place, the last thing you probably want to see is a parked car sitting in your way just ahead of the line.
But that’s what Bauke Mollema (Trek Factory Racing) and Zdenek Stybar (Etixx – Quick-Step) had to deal with as they raced for second and third at the Vuelta a Murcia on Saturday, flying round the finishing bend to be confronted with what looks like a neutral service car.
Mark Cavendish wins the Clasica de Almeria
Mark Cavendish takes fifth 2015 victory, winning the bunch sprint in the Clasica de Almeria in Spain
Riders behind them also had to take evasive action to avoid the vehicle, as it remains unclear not only why it stopped there, but why cars and motorbikes weren’t pulled out from behind winner Rein Taaramäe (Astana), who had only a 10 second gap between him and the two chasers.
The UCI have yet to comment on the incident but both Mollema and Stybar took to Twitter to complain about the incident.
Nice race to restart after 4months.I can be happy with 3th place. I wish that there is next time not parked car on the finish line. #Murcia
— Zdenek Stybar (@zdenekstybar) February 14, 2015
The sprint for second was close with @zdenekstybar. Even closer with a parked car 10 meters before finish… pic.twitter.com/JiZrvKLU0a
— Bauke Mollema (@BaukeMollema) February 14, 2015
