What started as another thrilling mountain stage at the Tour de France quickly took a worrying turn when a fan was accidentally struck by a support car from the INEOS Grenadiers team.
The incident played out during the intense Stage 14 climb, leaving viewers stunned and raising concerns about safety on the narrow, crowded mountain roads.
Spectator Knocked Down While Filming Riders
During the grueling ascent up the Col de Peyresourde, a fan standing too close to the action got more than they bargained for.
As they tried to film the riders going past, the INEOS Grenadiers team vehicle came up from behind at a slow pace—but still managed to collide with the spectator.
The impact knocked them to the ground, sending their phone flying.
The person’s current condition hasn’t been publicly confirmed.
Confusion Over the Incident
Neither the Tour de France organizers nor the INEOS team immediately commented on the situation, with Reuters reporting that race officials weren’t even aware the accident had occurred.
The INEOS support car was following close behind Dutch cyclist Thymen Arensman at the time—just a few hundred meters from the summit.
Expert Insight on Mountain Stage Challenges
Former pro cyclist and current RMC Sport analyst Jerome Coppel offered some context, explaining just how tricky these mountain stages can get.
“These passes are extremely narrow, and fans line both sides of the road. There’s barely any room to maneuver,” he said.
According to Coppel, team cars try to stay close in case their riders need urgent support—like a tire change—but it’s a delicate dance to make it through the congestion safely.
Potential Consequences for the Driver
Coppel also warned that the INEOS driver could face penalties for the incident.
He described how difficult it is to be behind the peloton and try to move up the line, especially when other cyclists and vehicles don’t make way.
The Tour’s narrow climbs are known for their chaos—and unfortunately, this time it may have gone too far.
A Stage Win Amid the Mayhem
Despite the drama, Thymen Arensman gave his INEOS Grenadiers team something to smile about.
He put in a brilliant solo performance to win Stage 14, covering the 182.6 km (113-mile) route from Pau to Superbagneres with style.
This marks the first Tour de France stage win for the British team in two years.
Pogacar Keeps the Yellow Jersey
While Arensman celebrated, the battle for the overall lead raged on behind him.
Slovenian sensation Tadej Pogacar held on to the coveted yellow jersey after finishing second in a nail-biting sprint against Jonas Vingegaard.
Pogacar came in just over a minute behind Arensman, maintaining his position at the top of the general classification.
INEOS Grenadiers: A Legacy Team
INEOS Grenadiers, formerly known as Team Sky, has a rich history in the Tour de France.
The team dominated in the early 2010s with Sir Bradley Wiggins winning in 2012, followed by four victories from Chris Froome.
The team was rebranded after INEOS took full ownership in 2019 and is now under the leadership of Sir Dave Brailsford.
With Arensman’s win, they’ve added a fresh highlight to their impressive legacy.
More Updates Expected
With many unanswered questions surrounding the fan accident, more details are likely to emerge soon.
For now, the Tour de France presses on—with excitement, risk, and drama in every stage.