Appeal for Better Fan Behavior as Tour de France Stage 15 Marred by Mass Pileup

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Jonas Vingegaard, the current leader of the Tour de France, is urging fans to exhibit better conduct at the renowned cycling event following yet another significant crash during the 15th stage on Sunday.

“I kindly request spectators to relish the race and show their support without obstructing the road or drenching us in beverages,” Vingegaard emphasized. “Please, let’s just savor the race together.”

The Danish cyclist maintains a narrow 10-second lead over Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar as the competition enters its final week.

The incident, involving approximately two dozen riders, has prompted various teams participating in the Tour to make appeals to the fans.

“Kindly exercise caution to ensure that this celebration remains joyful for both the riders and yourselves. Capturing awe-inspiring memories doesn’t require the use of a cell phone,” stated the Cofidis team, amidst unverified reports that the crash was caused by a spectator attempting to take a selfie.

The Ineos Grenadiers team echoed the sentiment, saying, “Please provide sufficient space for the riders to compete.”

The latest accident occurred 52 kilometers (32 miles) into the race when a spectator inadvertently made contact with American cyclist Sepp Kuss, a vital teammate of Vingegaard, resulting in him falling to the ground.

The gathering of fans along the roadsides and in villages, as the riders pass by, is an integral part of the Tour’s tradition and charm. However, many spectators often take unnecessary risks, such as running alongside the cyclists during mountain ascents.

Jumbo-Visma reported that Dylan van Baarle and Nathan van Hooydonck were among those who suffered injuries in Sunday’s crash. Fortunately, Vingegaard, who was riding in close proximity to his teammates, emerged unharmed.

“The team felt quite strong today, despite the unfortunate crash that affected some of my teammates,” Vingegaard commented.

Organizers also issued a plea to fans, urging them to “pay attention to the riders” following the incident, which fortunately did not result in any withdrawals.

Two years ago, a spectator waving a large cardboard sign and leaning into the path of oncoming riders caused a massive pileup during the opening stage.

Dutch veteran Wout Poels claimed victory on Sunday after conquering the challenging route through the Alps.

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