Latest news with #OliverCookson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tour de France spectator hit by INEOS-Grenadiers team car
A spectator at the Tour de France was hit and knocked to the ground by an INEOS-Grenadiers car during the 14th stage of the race on Saturday, TV footage appeared to show. The incident occurred on the Col de Peyresourde mountain pass in the central Pyrenees, about 200 meters from the crest of the hill, according to Reuters. The car was driving in the middle of the road when it struck the spectator. The condition of the spectator is not yet known. CNN has reached out to INEOS-Grenadiers and the Tour de France for comment. Oliver Cookson, the INEOS directeur sportif who was driving the car, was handed a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs ($6,200) by the race jury for 'incorrect behaviour that endangered spectators,' the Tour de France said in a statement afterward. Cookson was also given a yellow card – effectively a warning before further sanction – by the jury. Spectators lining the route of cycling's most famous race is part of the Tour's unique atmosphere – but this means that incidents involving those standing on the roadside are relatively common – two years ago, a number of riders fell after a fan apparently tried to take a picture during Stage 15. Meanwhile, in 2021, a fan stepped in front of the peloton holding a cardboard sign, causing dozens of cyclists to crash during the Tour. INEOS rider Thymen Arensman claimed his first stage win in Saturday's race, with Tadej Pogačar extending his overall lead by finishing second, one place ahead of his closest challenger, Jonas Vingegaard. Olympic gold medalist Remco Evenepoel was forced to abandon the race after struggling on the first climb of the stage.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Tour de France spectator hit by Ineos-Grenadiers team car
AN Ineos-Grenadiers team car hit and knocked down a spectator during the 14th stage of the Tour de France cycle race, TV footage showed on Saturday. The team car was in the middle of the road on the Col de Peyresourde, about 200 metres from the top of the ascent, when it struck the spectator, who was cheering the riders on. The driver, sports director Oliver Cookson, was handed a 5,000 Swiss franc ($6,240) fine and a yellow card for 'dangerous behaviour that endangered spectators'. A second yellow card triggers exclusion from the race. Local police have been investigating the accident, a Tour police officer told Reuters. 'Our thoughts and sincere apologies go out to the fan who was accidentally and regretfully hit by one of our race cars while supporting the riders during today's stage,' Ineos-Grenadiers said in a statement. 'Like all teams we take great care to maintain a safe race environment for everyone - including the passionate fans who make our sport so special.' REUTERS
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ineos apologise after hitting spectator with support car during Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers have apologised after the team's support car knocked down a spectator during stage 14 of the Tour de France. The car was in pursuit of its Dutch rider and eventual stage winner Thymen Arensman on the Col de Peyresourde, one of four major climbs during Saturday's stage 14 in the Pyrenees. The car appeared to be passing a motorbike as it took a wide line on the road before hitting a fan who had been filming the riders as they passed, knocking them to the floor. The race jury later said Ineos Grenadiers sports director Oliver Cookson was fined 5,000 Swiss francs (£4,300) for "improper behaviour endangering spectators" and handed a yellow card. Accumulating yellow cards over a defined period of time results in a suspension. La voiture d'@INEOSGrenadiers a percuté un spectateur dans la montée de Peyresourde.#TDF2025 — Paul Moutarde (@PaulMoutarde) July 19, 2025 Local police are investigating the incident. Ineos Grenadiers said: 'Our thoughts and sincere apologies go out to the fan who was accidentally and regretfully hit by one of our race cars while supporting the riders during today's stage. 'Like all teams we take great care to maintain a safe race environment for everyone - including the passionate fans who make our sport so special.'
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Ineos-Grenadiers team car hits spectator during Tour de France
A Tour de France spectator who was cheering riders was hit by a car from the Ineos-Grenadiers team in the Pyrenees on Saturday. TV footage of the race showed the team car knocking down the fan who was holding what looked liked a mobile phone about 200 meters from the top of the Col de Peyresourde. The vehicle was following riders on the steep ascent and driving at moderate speed. There was no immediate information available on the spectator's condition. The race jury later said Ineos Grenadiers sports director Oliver Cookson was fined 5,000 Swiss francs ($6,200) for 'improper behavior endangering spectators' and handed a yellow card. Accumulating yellow cards over a defined period of time results in a suspension. Ineos-Grenadiers apologized 'to the fan who was accidentally and regretfully struck by one of our race cars while supporting the riders.' 'Like all teams we take great care to maintain a safe race environment for everyone, including the passionate fans who make our sport so special.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ineos driver hits spectator while chasing Thymen Arensman up the Col de Peyresourde
(Image Source - Getty Images) During stage 14 of the Tour de France, a surprising event occurred when a car from the Ineos Grenadiers team hit a spectator on the dangerous Col de Peyresourde climb. The car, operated by sports director Oliver Cookson, was trailing Dutch cyclist Thymen Arensman, who ultimately clinched the stage with an impressive solo performance. This incident, which knocked the spectator down and sent their phone flying, has ignited discussions about safety on the narrow mountain roads of this renowned cycling race. Why was a Tour de France spectator standing in the middle of the road? The incident occurred roughly 200 meters from the peak of the Col de Peyresourde, a steep and well-known climb in the Pyrenees celebrated for its difficult gradients and breathtaking scenery. Stage 14 was a 182.6-kilometer mountain route from Pau to Superbagneres, featuring almost 5,000 meters of climbing, which really tested the riders' stamina and the accuracy of their support teams. While Thymen Arensman pushed forward, taking the lead in the stage, the Ineos Grenadiers team car was right behind, with teammate Carlos Rodríguez leading the chase group a bit further back. A fan, swept up in the thrill, stood right in the center of the narrow road, recording the cyclists as they came closer. The team car, cruising at a slow pace like support vehicles do on mountain stages, tried to squeeze through the tight gap between the riders and the crowd on the side. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Out of nowhere, the car hit the fan. Videos that went viral on social media showed the moment: the spectator was thrown onto the car's hood before falling to the ground, their phone sliding away across the pavement. The spectator's exact condition is still unknown since there haven't been any official updates. But the car's slow speed—needed to keep up with the riders probably lessened the impact's severity. When asked by Reuters, Tour de France organizers said, "We were not aware of the accident", indicating that the incident might have slipped under the radar during the race's hectic moments. Tour de France officials issue yellow card to Ineos sports director over spectator incident Ineos sports director Oliver Cookson, who was driving, faced immediate repercussions. He was fined 5,000 Swiss francs (about £4,650) by race officials and received a yellow card for "dangerous behavior that endangered spectators." In the Tour de France, a second yellow card leads to expulsion, making this a hefty penalty. Additionally, local French police have opened an investigation into the incident, which adds a legal aspect to the fallout. We still don't have any details about the spectator's identity, age, or injuries, leaving their fate unknown as the investigation progresses. Ineos Grenadiers responded with a public statement, 'Our thoughts and sincere apologies go out to the fan who was accidentally and regretfully hit by one of our race cars while supporting the riders during today's stage'. Ineos Grenadiers celebrate a long-awaited Tour de France win Despite the drama, the race kept going, leading to an exciting finish. Thymen Arensman, the rider being followed by the team car, took the win on stage 14 with an impressive solo effort, finishing 1 minute and 12 seconds ahead of the rest. This victory was Ineos Grenadiers' first stage win at the Tour de France in two years, a significant achievement for the British team. Meanwhile, race leader Tadej Pogacar managed to secure second place, outpacing his competitor Jonas Vingegaard to hold onto the yellow jersey and keep his lead in the overall standings. Also Read: Who Is Sadom Kaewkanjana? Thai Buddhist Monk Turned British Open Contender Although the spectator's slow-speed collision might have prevented major injuries, uncertainty about their health still raises worries. The current police inquiry could provide more details about what happened, which might affect safety measures going forward. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
