Posted on 07/02/2021 8:53:47 AM PDT by Eddie01
The spectator whose cardboard sign sent riders tumbling to the road was charged with reckless endangerment and involuntarily causing injuries.
A Tour de France spectator on the side of the road held up a sign that hit the German rider Tony Martin. He fell and caused a pileup of dozens of more.
[snip]
Camille Miansoni, the prosecutor in Brest, France, who had opened an investigation into the case, said that the spectator, a 30-year-old French woman, had been released from police custody pending her trial. She turned herself in on Wednesday.
The charges under consideration carry a possible one year prison term, depending on the severity of the cyclists’ injuries, and a fine of 15,000 euros, or nearly $18,000, but a prison term is thought to be unlikely.
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I’ve never understood why they don’t have a simple rule stating spectators must be 3 ft away from the road. Just for both spectator and biker safety. People are literally on the road and nothing is done.
When dumbassery rises to the level of criminality.
Meanwhile, the women who collaborated with nazis merely had their heads shorn and were paraded topless through the streets when Paris was liberated in 1944.
If there were *serious* injuries involved a large fine...or even a prison term...might be in order. But otherwise just give her a slap on the wrist.
The stories of bruised shoulders from cell phones is endless.
“The incident has been blown out of all proportion,” Prudhomme said, according to A.F.P. “So we’d like to calm things down now that the message has got across that the roadside fans need to be careful.”
Must have been fully automatic cardboard.
I agree. Not her fault. Safety negligence on the part of the organizers. Surprised it hasn’t happened before.
Totally her fault. She was not looking at the riders approaching as she was grandstanding for the cameras. How could the organizers stop stupidity.
“I agree. Not her fault.”
Totally her fault.
“Totally her fault. She was not looking at the riders approaching as she was grandstanding for the cameras. How could the organizers stop stupidity.”
Yes. The lead vehicles had already passed and she wanted to be caught by the camera just ahead of the pelaton.
The woman was obviously a racist. Thanks, ill be here all week
They should just drop this. I agree. If I ever have to the opportunity to see the race, I don’t want to stand behind anything.
When I raced regionally, the people/families in lawn chairs, the cycling fans in general lining the road on big hill climbs getting close and telling to you to keep going were a big part of the motivation and experience as a racer.
Hate to see the Tour lose that element. It will just get cold and lose luster.
They should just drop this. I agree. If I ever have to the opportunity to see the race, I don’t want to stand behind anything.
When I raced regionally, the people/families in lawn chairs, the cycling fans in general lining the road on big hill climbs getting close and telling to you to keep going were a big part of the motivation and experience as a racer.
Hate to see the Tour lose that element. It will just get cold and lose luster.
If she were confused about how much room she needed at the road's edge I might forgive her for dumbassery, but she planted her foot on the road and stuck her sign further out while looking away from the cyclists. Then she flees the scene. Dumb ass is one thing. Dumb ass attention whore is much worse.
But then I would love to see a golfer take a swing at one of those "get in the hole!" idiots.
The mind boggles.
It was completely her fault.
True. Especially when bicyclists are world renown for their courtesy and consideration for others.
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