'Bonehead' pedestrians cause chaos for Aussies at Italian cycling race
An Australian-based cycling team was caught up in one of two separate incidents involving careless pedestrians at a prestigious Italian cycling race.
One of the two incidents during the team time trial stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico ended in disaster, as an oblivious pedestrian strayed into the path of BORA – hansgrohe team.
Ignoring shouts of warning from a nearby police officer, the man wandered into the path of the team.
Polish rider Rafal Majka was unable to avoid him, crashing into him at high speed.
Teammate Oscar Gatto was caught up in the crash, which left the pedestrian in hospital.
Both BORA riders were able to complete the stage.
So riders can get fined for showing up late to sign a piece of paper, or for wearing the wrong clothes when they go to sign it, but who do the riders get to fine or get compensation from for being injured from a horribly secured course??? #TirrenoAdriatico
— Larry Warbasse (@larrywarbasse) March 13, 2019
This is what happens when your race security isn't actually paying attention. Official has his back to the course while chatting to the man in orange. #TirrenoAdriatico pic.twitter.com/Sn8rA9UPYi
— Jonathan Rowe (@ronnyjowe) March 13, 2019
what a bonehead #borahangrohe #TirrenoAdriatico pic.twitter.com/UJKIbvRWip
— Jakupp (@jjakubv) March 13, 2019
Another pedestrian incident caused problems for Australian Mitchelton-SCOTT team in the dying minutes of their team trial.
A woman walking her dog narrowly avoided the same fate, realising her mistake at the last second.
What is going on? Mitchelton-Scott nearly go down as well! #TirrenoAdriatico pic.twitter.com/sRBCk4WUWo
— Paul Knott (@P_Knott) March 13, 2019
The near-miss was a near disaster for the Aussie riders, but they managed to overcome the brief setback to record the fastest team trial, handing Australian rider Michael Hepburn the leader’s blue jersey.