The Tour de France is one of the biggest sporting events in the entire world, drawing massive crowds of spectators to watch the race. But unfortunately, one of those spectators appears to have caused a major crash on the course when they apparently tried to take a photograph.
During stage 15 of the iconic cycling race this week, a spectator caused a massive collision about 52 kilometers into the event when they bumped into American rider Sepp Kuss, resulting in a pileup involving about a dozen other riders.
Kuss said after the race that he “didn’t really see it coming.”
Tour de France spectator causes a huge crash in the peloton!#TDF2023 📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/USu6eUO0o1
— NBC Sports Cycling (@NBCSCycling) July 16, 2023
“There was a spectator leaning into the road, I guess. It just happened suddenly, and that’s part of the Tour, there are a lot of people,” Kuss said afterward according to Cycling News. “Ideally that wouldn’t happen, but it’s the biggest bike race in the world and a lot of people don’t know exactly what’s going on.”
“There was a narrowing in a town. We were just trying to slow down the peloton (pack) to let the break go, and then just on the side, unfortunately, somebody wanted to get a selfie. I didn’t really see it coming.”
It’s clear that the fan should have been more aware, and the frustrating move led to plenty of reactions on social media.
Fans are legit starting to ruin the TdF https://t.co/9uOHfKnvr6
— Thayne Griffin (@thayne_griffin) July 16, 2023
So much main character syndrome at the tour these days lol https://t.co/kpg8Fj4yG0
— A.J. (@ComboAJ) July 16, 2023
Another fan with a cell phone and lack of awareness inflicting damage to the same bike racers they are there to watch and cheer for. What a bummer to see 😡 https://t.co/AaEdRKUpqV
— Brent Bookwalter (@brentbookwalter) July 16, 2023
Spectators need specific advice what not to do, since apparently they cannot figure it out on their own. Horrible to see. https://t.co/xsUvtKyH9V
— HombreDeBicycle (@HombreDeBicycle) July 16, 2023
As seen from yesterday’s stage and this incident, spectators are really stupid https://t.co/bEY0TR4sjy
— JGR-23XI Fan (@JGR23XIFan) July 16, 2023
People are horrible https://t.co/UzlABaa5e6
— Krista (@kristakou1) July 16, 2023
This is becoming a real problem for the Tour de France.
