The ASO made a statement after the Tour de France stage, about the incident. “Following the accident which occurred at the 167 kilometers mark … involving the riders Juan Antonio Flecha and Johnny Hoogerland, vehicle Euro Media numbered 800 has been excluded from the Tour de France.”
Tour de France race director, Christian Prudhomme was furious about the unforgettable incident and explained his feelings about the day.
“I announced on Radio Tour, which is the channel everyone should be listening to, that all cars should pull to the side and give priority to the team cars,” said Prudhomme.
“The car previously received the order from the race direction not to pass and let the Europcar team manager get through to the breakaway to give Thomas Voeckler the bottle he was asking for.
“They did not take that order into account … and caused the crash of both riders. This behavior is intolerable.”