Unreal Scenes At Tour De France As Media Bike Causes Dangerous Crash | Balls.ie

Unbelievable Scenes At Tour De France As Media Bike Causes Dangerous Crash

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Veteran cyclist Jack Bauer (BikeExchange–Jayco) was involved in a nasty looking crash during today's stage 18 of the Tour De France.

The chain of events which lead to the crash was initiated after Nils Eekhoff (DSM), who was ahead of the UAE team car which was in front of Bauer, crashed, causing the UAE team car slam their breaks.

This meant that Bauer had to swerve to avoid the car. However, a media motorbike had taken up the only gap available to him on a narrow part of the road, and unable to stop, Bauer slammed into the back of the UAE car.

Tour de France Crash

Have you 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 seen anything like it? 😱

Jack Bauer couldn't escape this one and ends up being sandwiched by a press bike and the UAE Team Emirates car 💥#TDF2022 | @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/vUhIx750JB

— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 21, 2022

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While the media motorbike could not have predicted Eekhoff's crash, he should have slowed down and given way to Bauer long before the narrowing of the road.

Naturally, Bauer was furious at the occupants of the motorbike, throwing his hands up in disgust and shouting at them. “That’s the first Tour de France you’ve driven in,” Bauer asked sarcastically.

“Oh no! No! No space being left by press,” said Carlton Kirby on Eurosport commentary. "That was terrible. Nightmare. Just shows you lots of things can fade in terms of challenges, but also brains occasionally.”

Thankfully, New Zealander Bauer was soon given a spare bike and was able to continue the race.

The crash is the latest in a series of incidents which have involved team vehicles. On stage 4, rider Mads Pedersen (Trek–Segafredo) narrowly avoided a serious crash when a team car swerved in front of him. On stage 5, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) nearly hit a car after getting onto a new bike.

At the time of writing, yellow jersey holder Jonas Vingegaard is a minute ahead of second place Tadej Pogacar on what is the final major climb of the 2022 Tour de France.