Tour de France 'Opi-Omi' spectator avoids jail sentence after causing stage one crash
The woman initially went into hiding, later admitting that she felt "ashamed"
![Opi Omi](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WmwZexLrw9RogpXfyBUXZ3-415-80.jpg)
The woman whose infamous cardboard sign caused a massive pile-up in the peloton on the first stage of the 2021 Tour de France has been spared jail.
A trial into the incident began in October with the prosecution requesting that the unnamed 31-year-old should be given a suspended four month prison sentence, arguing that she had put lives at risk.
The court in Brest passed its verdict on December 10, handing the female a fine of €1,200 and €500 in damages, remarking that it had reached its conclusion after finding her guilty of "endangering the lives of others" and "wilful injury".
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the woman went missing for four days amid a furious public outcry and subsequent media storm. She later handed herself into police.
During the trial, the prosecution made it clear that the woman could be given a 12 month prison sentence and a maximum fine of €15,000, but the returned verdict was much less.
At the time, the Tour de France race organisers ASO threatened to sue the offender before later retracting that intention. Many riders, however, remain angry at the event.
It occurred with around 45km left to race on the opening stage when the women held out a large sign reading 'Allez Opi-Omi'.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Tony Martin, who was driving the peloton forward, was unable to avoid the sign and crashed into it, tumbling to the ground and bringing with him around a third of the entire bunch. Movistar's Marc Soler finished the stage but quit in the evening because of injuries sustained.
Martin, meanwhile, recently said that he brought forward his retirement due to feeling unsafe in the peloton.
The incident was one of a number of crashes during the first week of the 2021 Tour, with several high-profile riders abandoning, including Primož Roglič and Jack Haig.
Next year's Tour de France route starts outside of France and in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, where the peloton will race three days in the country before beginning the journey south back to France.
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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny 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