A police motorcycle parked on the racecourse at the $4 wreaked havoc on the race on Sunday, sending several riders - including overall favorites $4 and $4 - crashing to the ground.
The rider who initially hit the parked motorbike appeared to be Wilco Kelderman of the Sunweb team. British rider Adam Yates of Orica-Scott also went down.
In the GIF below, you can see the peloton racing along at speed as it comes up on the motorbike on the left side of the road:
The peloton had been racing on stage nine toward the big climb at Blockhaus, among the hardest ascents of the three-week race. It's unclear why the motorbike was parked on the racecourse and not pulled off to the side of the road.
Race commentator Daniel Lloyd expressed his frustration, pointing out the "stupidity" of the incident.
Team Sky appeared to be most affected, with several of its riders hitting the ground.
Thomas finsihed minutes down on stage winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar).
Belgian cyclist Antoine Demoitié $4 at the Gent-Wevelgem race in 2016.
More to come.
Obstacles like that come at you very quickly at 60kph+, particularly when bunch spread across the road. $4
- Daniel Lloyd (@daniellloyd1) $4The influence motor vehicles have on pro bike racing is ridiculous. I don't know what the answer is but it needs sorting.
- Daniel Lloyd (@daniellloyd1) $4Months and months of training and sacrifices, down the drain because of a stupidly parked motorcycle. NOT OK.
- Brian Nygaard (@nygaardbn) $4Disaster for Thomas & Yates & Giro as a whole - issues with motos still bedevil this sport
- William Fotheringham (@willfoth) $4A brave $4 crosses the line 5' 07" back on stage winner Quintana (MOV). We still wait for $4. Tough day $4
- Team Sky 🚲 (@TeamSky) $4