In an alarming development from the 2023 Tour de France, the defending champion Jonas Vingegaard’s Jumbo-Visma team is mulling over pressing charges against a fan taking a selfie whose name isn’t known as the crash video goes viral
This particular individual has been blamed for causing a significant crash during the 15th stage of the race. The fallout from this incident could change the landscape of spectator interaction in the event forever.
Who is the selfie clicking Tour de France 2023 fan and what is his name after he caused crash in stage 15 in viral video
The fateful moment arrived when a fan extended his arm toward Jumbo-Visma’s Sepp Kuss. The unexpected contact caught the American cyclist off balance, triggering a domino effect that caused approximately two dozen riders to tumble, including two of Kuss’s teammates.
Maxi crash at the Tour de France caused by a roadside person who was filming with his phone.
Crash seen in slow motion. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/qAbxycQSBf
— Procyclinglover (@procyclinglover) July 16, 2023
An insider source informed Reuters that the French gendarmerie has successfully identified the fan but his identity hasn’t been revealed. However, no arrest will be made unless Kuss decides to press charges. When questioned, a spokesperson from Jumbo-Visma told Reuters, “The team might do. We’ll find out how and when.”
A plea for spectator safety
This regrettable incident has prompted Tour de France teams to issue appeals to spectators for increased caution. “There was a spectator leaning into the road,” Kuss explained, describing the circumstances leading up to the crash. “Somebody wanted to get a selfie. I didn’t really see it coming.”
Teams like Cofidis and Ineos Grenadiers have issued statements requesting fans to exercise more care. Also they have collectively urged spectators to give riders adequate space and be mindful of their actions. A statement from Cofidis read, “we don’t need a cellphone to make memories,” emphasizing the potential dangers of fans getting too close to the action.
Previous incidents and potential legal consequences
This isn’t the first time that spectators’ interference has resulted in unfortunate accidents. In 2021, a woman holding a cardboard sign for a television camera, oblivious to the approaching cyclists, caused a crash. The court slapped her with a fine of 1,200 euros (1,347.48 USD) after she was charged with involuntarily causing injury and endangering others’ lives.
As the Tour enters its final week, with Vingegaard holding a 10-second lead over two-time winner Tadej Pogacar, the safety of the cyclists takes center stage. With Monday being a rest day before Tuesday’s 22.4km time trial, the teams and riders will be hoping for a safe and incident-free conclusion to the iconic race.
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