Mitchelton-Scott’s team time trial victory in Tirreno-Adriatico was almost ripped from their hands when a pedestrian walked out onto the course.
The TTT unit fortunately missed the woman and her dog as they hit the final corner of the course, going on to take the win on stage one.
That near miss came shortly after two Bora-Hansgrohe riders were taken out by another pedestrian who walked across the course.
Coverage from the race showed Mitchelton-Scott navigating a chicane with 1.2km left to race.
>>> ‘It was definitely worth getting a bit fat & enjoying it post-Tour’ says Geraint Thomas
As they emerged from the corner, a woman and her dog can be seen staggering back in the middle of the road as the remaining five riders speed past.
Despite the tense moment, Mitchelton-Scott rode to a seven-second victory over winners-in-waiting Jumbo-Visma.
Adam Yates now the best placed of the general classification contenders, as Michael Hepburn goes into the leader’s jersey.
Oscar Gatto and Rafał Majka were the two riders caught in the crash, both hitting the pedestrian who fell to the floor.
The Bora-Hansgrohe squad, which includes Peter Sagan, were in the opening three kilometres of their team effort when the crash happened.
Sagan and his other team-mates were able to avoid the collision, as the man appeared not to see the race speeding towards him.
>>> Magnus Cort takes breakaway victory on Paris-Nice 2019 stage four
The remaining five riders crossed the line with a time of 22-44, ahead of Ag2r La Mondiale who posted a time of 24-26.
In 2017 during the opening time trial on the same roads at Lido di Camaiore three-time world champion Sagan nearly collided with a woman and her dog who had walked out onto the course.
Thankfully for the dog walker, Sagan was able to take evasive action, nipping through a gap in the raised kerb separating the road from an adjoining bike bath, with other spectators out of the way.
His time trial ruined, an exasperated Sagan turned to shake his head at the woman before continuing with his ride.
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Conservationists accuse cyclists of damaging New Forest through 'illegal activities'
A six-week survey recorded 550 instances of cyclists riding off-track
-
Cyclist numbers overtake car drivers on key main roads, data shows
Cycling UK say that "vision and investment" is needed from local and national government to get more people on bikes
-
Mikel Nieve drops out of WorldTour to return to former team Caja Rural in 2022
The Spanish mountain domestique will be embarking on his 15th professional season
-
Leaked contract shows Manuela Fundación tried to buy Mitchelton-Scott for €7 million
The failed takeover of the Australian squad, now called Team BikeExchange, caused confusion in June last year
-
Rival teams lend spare bikes to BikeExchange after thieves steal 12 machines at Tour de l'Ardeche
The Australian team managed to start the fifth stage after help from Trek Segafredo, Liv Racing, and Movistar
-
Esteban Chaves joins EF Education-Nippo for 2022 after eight years at Team BikeExchange
The Colombian has seen a lot of success while riding with the Australian squad but wants a new challenge
-
Simon Yates believed Egan Bernal would let him go at Giro d’Italia after reading rival’s comments in media
The British climber said he had a feeling Ineos Grenadiers wouldn’t try to chase on stage 19
-
'Podium still within reach' for Simon Yates who accepts Giro d'Italia victory is beyond him now
Simon Yates concedes fighting for the maglia rosa and will now aim for the podium at the Giro d'Italia after losing time on stage 16
-
Simon Yates says riding Strade Bianche earlier this year helped him on stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia 2021
The British rider moved up to fifth overall after holding on to the likes of Egan Bernal until the final climb
-
Team BikeExchange sports director thrown off Giro d'Italia after driving into Pieter Serry on stage six
The sports director did apologise to the Belgian rider but was thrown off the race
