VIDEO: Watch as idiot with crisp packet almost derails Tadej Pogacar's stage winning attack on stage 14 of Tour de France
CyclingSunday, 14 July 2024 at 11:10
Cycling is one of the best sports in the world because of how accessible it is to supporters. You don't have to pay to go and see your heroes, you can simply go the roadside for free and offer your support. Sadly, there seem to always be some who take things too far which was again the case on stage 14 of the 2024 Tour de France.
As the Maillot Jaune wearing Tadej Pogacar attacked clear of his general classification rivals Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel towards a stunning stage win, one that now sees the UAE Team Emirates leader nearly two minutes clear in the fight for Grand Tour victory, things were very nearly derailed in the most unnecessary of ways.
Whilst Pogacar was riding clear, one fan got a little too close for comfort to the Maillot Jaune on the Pla d'Adet, seemingly waving a crisp packet in the dace of the UAE Team Emirates leader, forcing Pogacar to swerve out of the way to avoid a head on collision. As you can imagine, the reaction online has not been kind to the man at the roadside. "This guy can spend a night in jail for all I care," writes Lanterne Rouge analyst Benji Naesen via his official social media, whilst Sanny Rudravajhala of the On Yer Bike Podcast tweeted "WTF IS THIS?! Some bloke just chucked a bag of crisps into Tadej Pogacar’s face at 2km to go."
This is also not the first time that Pogacar has been the victim of 'fans' eagerness to get close to him. At the most recent Giro d'Italia, Pogacar was ascending the slopes of Monte Grappa when a man ran over to the UAE Team Emirates leader and pushed him on the lower back. Although surely without malice and just wanting to help his favourite rider, this could have proved incredibly dangerous and Pogacar responded with visible frustration as he verbally lambasted the fan whilst, waving his arms angrily.
On that occasion, no charges were pressed at the behest of Pogacar himself, as revealed by CPA chief Adam Hansen. “The CPA looked into pressing charges against the Italian but Pogacar said ‘please don’t do it, because it’s an old man,” Hansen told Velo. “Because Pogacar said no, my personal opinion is that we should follow that. We shouldn’t push charges onto a person when riders don’t want to do it.”
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- He wins the Vuelta because the best don't show up. With how he rides, he's better for the TdF but not good enough for who showsVeganpotter07-05-2025
- True, but unless Tadej or Jonas fall off their bike or get sick, no one is going to beat them. The 2014 Tour was decided by the Shark of Messina long before Contador or Froome were injured. I miss Nibali.awp07-05-2025
- Everyone thought Froome or Contador had the 2014 Tour locked up, and look what happened. Anything can occur in a race.itsent07-05-2025
- The handbags are already out aren't they? Let's see who pulls for who.Renz07-05-2025
- "I think they forgot last year, and when Jonas was injured," and I think you forgot 2023 L-B-L, when Tadej was injured and had to improvise a training without bike. Tadej only could riding a "normal" bike again only 2 weeks before the Tour. That TT he couldn't knowing well at all.
maria2024202407-05-2025 - It's unfortunate a rider of his caliber hasn't won the Tour de France and I can't fault him for trying, in fact, I respect it. But he never will win the Tour as long as Tadej and Jonas are in the peloton, and we might as well add Remco to that list as he is the youngest and seems to be coming up quickly behind Tadej and Jonas. I hope Primoz can capture another Giro and maybe another Vuelta before he calls it a day.awp07-05-2025
- "He breaks the conventions we once held", yeah, Tadej es disruptive, unique. Perhaps because he doesn't come from a family/country with tradition in cycling, so the "laws" of cycling were unknown to him and he was just looking/seeking to have fun. Traditions are beautiful but sometimes can be limiting.maria2024202407-05-2025
- I'd win so much money off Blythe on this one!bobo07-05-2025
- "The Giro d'Italia 2024 saw a strong increase in audience figures across RAI networks, especially on Rai2 and RaiSport HD. The race also experienced a significant boost in online engagement, with record numbers of website visitors, video views, and media articles. The event reached over 700 million viewers worldwide...." Sorry, but Pogacar is boring only for ... envious? ex-riders.maria2024202406-05-2025
- It's always the way in pro cycling - 1 rider wins and the rest,instead of working with each other to topple the better rider, they ride behind said rider collecting scraps that're left...
leedorney06-05-2025
Looking at the fool, I bet he hasn't ridden a bike since his youth.
ban him, and fine him tens of thousands!
I remember when they used to throw pi** @ Armstrong...
I want to do that every time I see him now.
lol
I never understood why the idiotic fans stand in the middle of the road and move just before the riders pass the same space. Scream from the side of the road not from the center of the road
I hope Police apprehend this man and he gets a public shaming. Maybe his employer and family can see what he's all about.
Something tells me he's unemployed.
Are crisps what we in the USA call potato chips?
Yes, if riders can be fined for dropping trash, fans can be fined or worse for harming a rider or interfering with a race.
If I were him, I might turn myself in AND shave off the beard and wear a suit for the rest of the year.
He has a very recognizable and punchable face. He'll be found, shamed, and hopefully charged with something. What a tool.
He did the same to Jonas as well! They need to make an example of him. Could have been something more dangerous than crisps!