British woman formally charged in Giant-Alpecin collision
The 73-year-old world has been formally charged with crimes relating to the incident at a training camp in Spain
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The British woman who collided with six Giant-Alpecin cyclists in training this winter in Alicante, Spain, has been formally charged by local police. The German team of John Degenkolb and the Guardia Civil police are listed in the case.
The unnamed 73-year-old drove head-on into Degenkolb, winner of last year's Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, and five of his Giant-Alpecin teammates on January 23 near Alicante, Spain.
The German sprinter suffered a fractured forearm and nearly lost his left index finger. American Chad Haga fractured his eye socket, Max Walscheid his tibia and thumb.
"We all could have died," said Frenchman Warren Barguil, who broke his left scaphoid. Teammates Fredrik Ludvigsson and Ramon Sinkeldam were also involved.
Only Søren Kragh Andersen escaped being hit by the car being driven down the opposite lane towards the cyclists.
Watch: A day in the life of Giant-Alpecin
"The Court of Instruction Number 1 of Dénia has opened an injuries case for the crime of recklessness," read a statement received by Cycling Weekly. "The case centres on the driver of the vehicle as investigated (formerly charged). The court is awaiting forensic reports."
Cycling Weekly understands both the Guardia Civil police and Giant-Alpecin are listed in the case against the woman. Police explained at the time that she lives six months of the year in Spain and six months at home in Great Britain.
She crossed from the opposite side of the CV-720 provincial road leading to Alicante, near Benigembla, and collided with the group of cyclists returning from a training ride. She was driving a British-style car with the steering wheel on the right side, according to someone working on the investigation.
The police released and charged her with imprudence and recklessness, charges formalised today.
Degenkolb is only able to start his season this May 1 in Germany's Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt. Walscheid has yet to announce his return date. Haga, Barguil, Ludvigsson and Sinkeldam have all began racing again.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
'I’m just bloody happy to win': Tao Geoghegan Hart delighted at ending long wait without a win
Ineos Grenadiers rider celebrates his first victory since the 2020 Giro d'Italia
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Flying Dutchwoman: Lorena Wiebes on pressure, winning at the Tour de France, and leaving DSM
The SD Worx rider won 22 races in 2022, including two stages at the Tour de France Femmes and a clean sweep at the RideLondon Classique. She told Adam Becket how she did it
By Adam Becket • Published
-
‘You never know in the Tour’ - Romain Bardet fearless as he lines up Tour de France GC bid
The 32-year-old is ready to play the tactical game this July
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Humble, grounded but not satisfied: Scottish rider Sean Flynn's WorldTour ascension
DSM have signed a rider who they believe can develop into a potential winner of hilly Classics
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Ex-mountain biker Sean Flynn completes 'dream' move to DSM
The Scotsman has signed a two-year contract with the WorldTour outfit
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Introducing Oscar Onley, the 19-year-old who almost beat Jonas Vingegaard twice
The DSM rider from Scotland finished third overall at CRO Race, and second on two stages
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
It's official: SD Worx confirms signing of star sprinter Lorena Wiebes
With Wiebes, Kopecky and Vollering in their midst, the Dutch team is shaping up to be an absolute power house in 2023
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Disappointed Wiebes reacts after losing Tour de France Femmes yellow
The Dutch sprinter thanks DSM for developing her as the team confirm she will leave at the end of the season
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
The highest power and the highest pay: is Lorena Wiebes on the move?
After winning the opening stage of the Tour de France Femmes rumours emerged alleging Lorena Wiebes is moving to SDWorx at the end of the year
By Owen Rogers • Last updated