Spectator Waving Sign responsible for Huge Tour de France Crash Arrested
The spectator who knocked down almost the entire peloton during the first stage of the Tour, was arrested and then taken into custody in Landerneau on Wednesday, June 30
On Saturday 26 June, 45 kilometers from the finish of the first stage Brest and Landerneau, a female spectator stood slighty in the road on the right-hand side with a cardboard sign, clipped Tony Martin, who went down hard, and took most of the peloton with him. As a result, the German rider from Jumbo-Visma, Tony Martin, hit the sign before taking the entire peloton to the ground. Injured, the German Jasha Sütterlin (DSM), had to give up.
It read ‘Go! Gran, Grandad,’ in a combination of French and German, and was clearly aimed at millions of viewers from around the world.
The woman, who is said to be from Germany, was looking straight at the television motorbike cameras with her back turned to the speeding riders and one – the German Tony Martin – crashed into her.
‘She was wearing glasses and dressed in blue jeans, a red and white striped sweater, and a waxed yellow jacket.’
The deputy director of the Tour, Pierre-Yves Thouault, announced at the time that the tour management was filing a complaint against the person in charge. She was arrested and taken into custody in Landerneau, the finish town of stage one, according to reports.
On Sunday, the Finistère gendarmerie announced the opening of a judicial investigation for "involuntary injuries with incapacity not exceeding three months by manifestly deliberate violation of an obligation of safety or prudence". A call for witnesses had been launched to find the spectator.
This is an indictable offence in France punishable with up to a year in prison and a fine equivalent to just under $11,000.
On the other hand, the penalty could be increased if the German rider Jasha Sütterlin (DSM) who abandoned decided to file a separate complaint.
The moment a spectator took out the whole peloton
This is the moment a spectator took out the entire peloton ?????? #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/Lg8VRsNeXN
— Patrick Galey #BlackLivesMatter (@patrickgaley) June 26, 2021
Fortunately, all riders continued on, except for Sutterlin who abandoned the race at the time.
The internet went crazy, and the inevitable memes started flooding in.
Dozens of riders were delayed and had to spend 20 kms chasing to get back on, however the peloton slowed down.
Crash from overhead
Pour une pancarte ! Peloton complètement arrêté #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/JZvZH7O5rv
— FLAMENT Nicolas (@FLAMENTN) June 26, 2021
Jumbo-Visma riders, the most affected, saw the team post "According to the circumstances, all of our riders seem to be okay after the massive and despicable crash. Thanks for all the encouraging messages and for the peloton to slow down."
Tony Martin was seen back on his bike riding with a ripped jersey and shorts.