Tour de France: spectator 'taking photo' knocked down by rider in east London despite warnings from organisers

 
Tumble: the spectator before he was hit (Picture: Twitter/@letour)
Rachel Blundy8 July 2014

A spectator who was apparently trying to take a photograph of riders at the Tour de France caused four cyclists to fall off their bikes after one hit him along the route in east London today.

Despite repeated warnings from race organisers that fans should not obstruct riders, the man, who has not yet been identified, was hit a few minutes away from Olympic Park as the cycle race arrived in the capital.

Video footage of the moment he fell was captured by ITV News.

Four racers, including Andy Schleck and Simon Gerrans, reportedly tumbled to the ground as a result of the collision on Woodford New Road at about 3.45pm this afternoon.

Tour de France in London - in pictures

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Redbridge Police reported there were "no serious injuries" in the crash.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">Hope the spectator, Andy Schleck &amp; the other riders involved in the crash on Le Tour at Woodford New Road are all okay. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Redbridge?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-217231-https://twitter.com/hashtag/Redbridge?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#Redbridge</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/letour?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-217231-https://twitter.com/hashtag/letour?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#letour</a>— Redbridge MPS (@MPSRedbridge) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MPSRedbridge/statuses/486159723960754176" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-217231-https://twitter.com/MPSRedbridge/statuses/486159723960754176" data-vars-event-id="c23">July 7, 2014</a>

Posting on Twitter, a police spokesman said: "Hope the spectator, Andy Schleck & the other riders involved in the crash on Le Tour at Woodford New Road are all okay. #Redbridge #letour."

Commenting on the incident in a post on the official Tour de France Twitter account today, race organisers said: "SPOTTED: this is what happens when you risk everything for a photo. Respect the riders!"

People taking 'selfies' at the race were urged to stay safe by police in Yorkshire this weekend.

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara said yesterday on Twitter: "Huge crowds are amazing for us bike riders but let's try to keep it safe for everyone and make more space and make a steep back on the road."

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