Tour de France drops lawsuit against fan who caused massive crash

[sarisataka]

Tour de France drops lawsuit against fan who caused massive crash

A 30-year-old French woman who caused a wreck during the first stage of the Tour de France is out of hot water legally after race organizers dropped a lawsuit on Thursday.

The woman held up cardboard sign during Saturday's Stage 1 and was not watching the competitors when German rider Tony Martin rode into the sign, causing a massive pileup. Nearly two dozen people were injured including some riders who had to withdraw from the tour. 

"We are withdrawing our complaint," Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said, according to Reuters. "This story has been blown out of proportion, but we wish to remind everyone of the safety rules on the race.

"If you come to the Tour, you hold your kid, you hold your pet and don't cross the road carelessly. And above all, you respect the riders -- they're the ones worthy of live TV."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/07/01/tour-de-france-drop-lawsuit-woman-who-caused-crash/7823932002/

Pretty much as I expected. The incident created much awareness of the danger of being too close to the riders. There would be little gained in in seeking a harsh punishment for an unintentional, albeit idiotic, action of a spectator.

[hlthe2b]

1. I think the bad PR from going after a spectator/fan--no matter how foolish & irresponsible

became obvious.

[qazplm135]

2. Exactly

Dumb accident but the level of vitriol was ridiculous.

[Hoyt]

3. Good. The crowds on the road have been a fixture in the Tour for decades.

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[obamanut2012]

4. Good -- they would have lost, and they know it

They not only allow but encourage spectators crowding, grabbing, hurting cyclists. It's been happening since the beginning. This young woman was a moran, but wasn't trying to hurt or impede anyone, unlike soooo many people they have allowed to get away with actually hurting riders.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Well that's too bad.

Apparently actions don't have consequences.