VIDEO: Contador causes a Sh*tstorm on Stage 12 of the Vuelta
Dramatic scenes haven't been witnessed like they have today!
On stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana Alberto Contador attacked on the final climb of Puerto del Torcal, distancing his rivals including Chris Froome.
Spanish fans went wild as the drama unfolded. Spanish police struggled to contain the fans whose response to Contador's attack was unpresidented.
In dramatic and unseen footage, it looks as if a cycling fan dives in front of a moto cam motorbike. But it transpiries he was pushed out of the way by a policeman, fearing for his safety or stopping him running next to Contador. The man is hauled to his feet, as the long arm of law bears down on him.
Froome panics, crashes a second time and overcooks a bend as he struggles to get back into contention on the final descent.
Meanwhile a crazed fan, for no apparent reason (just yet), attacks Maxim Belkov from Katusha, sending him flying off his bike over barriers and into spectators.
Police struggle to contain the lunatic.
Meanwhile, Tomasz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) soloed to his second stage victory at this year's Vuelta.
Mikel Nieve and Wout Poels from Team Sky buried themselves to help Chris Froome limit his losses.
More on Maxim Belkov Incident
Belkov later said “Through the Vuelta organisers I have received more details from the Guardia Civil about the incident that occurred yesterday on the Puerto del Torcal when a fan pushed me into the ditch. Apparently the man suffers from a mental disability. For me this is more than enough reason not to undertake any further action against him. I am healthy and not injured, but it could have ended worse. Cycling is a very accessible sport. We need to keep it this way. I just hope that this incident will open the eyes of many fans. Please never touch the riders in the race, don’t run alongside us and make sure to always properly supervise anyone under your care.”
2017 Vuelta a Espana Stage 12 Top Ten
1 Tomasz Marczynski (Pol) Lotto Soudal 3:56:45
2 Omar Fraile Matarranza (Spa) Dimension Data 0:00:52
3 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
4 Pawel Poljanski (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe
5 Stef Clement (Ned) Team LottoNL-Jumbo
6 Brendan Canty (Aus) Cannondale-Drapac 0:01:42
7 Anthony Perez (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:02:50
8 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
9 Andreas Schillinger (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
10 David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:03:00
GC after stage 12, Froome's lead reduced
1. Chris Froome (Team Sky)
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), +0'59"
3. Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott), +2'13"
4. David De La Cruz (Quick Step), +2'16"
5. Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb), +2'17"