Fans love the Famenne Ardenne Classic for its thrilling racing moments. However, this year’s edition delivered more drama than anyone expected. Arnaud De Lie’s remarkable one-legged victory definitely stole the headlines.
However, an incident with just 4 kilometers to go nearly turned disastrous. Three riders, Dylan van Baarle, Yves Lampaert, and Stan Dewulf, were in a breakaway just ahead of the main peloton. An oblivious motorist made a sudden and dangerous move, nearly colliding with the charging peloton.
A Terrifying Close Call: Cyclists Dodge Disaster
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As the Famenne Ardenne Classic reached its climax, the peloton was racing at a furious pace. The riders were gunning for victory after a grueling 180 kilometers. At speeds likely exceeding 50 km/h, the peloton was a formidable force approaching the final 4 kilometers.
At least they put their indicators on before pulling out into the road in between the breakaway and the bunch 😱 pic.twitter.com/KQVEiZLxSu
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) October 1, 2023
An unsuspecting motorist, unaware of the approaching peloton, chose this exact moment to pull out onto the road. The video, which later went viral on Twitter, now X, shows the car directly in the path of the charging cyclists.
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It was a miracle that no one crashed or suffered injuries in what could have been a catastrophic collision. In the heat of the moment, a few understandably furious riders expressed their frustration by tossing water bottles in the direction of the oblivious driver.
Social Media Erupts in Response
The incident at the Famenne Ardenne Classic not only rattled the peloton, but also stirred a wave of reactions on social media. Cyclists and fans alike took to X to voice their astonishment and frustration.
How dare this cyclists use his roads… He was late for the pub anyway…
— FloissJan (@JFloiss) October 1, 2023
The sarcastic comment, “How dare this cyclist use his roads… He was late for the pub anyway,” reflects the exasperation felt by many who witness such reckless behavior on the road.
This sort of thing was why I gave up marshalling 😢
— Kevin Taylor (@ktaylor7367) October 1, 2023
Another user’s admission, “This sort of thing was why I gave up marshalling 😢,” sheds light on the challenges faced by race marshals in ensuring the safety of cyclists during races.
proper communication and signalling is key within a bike race.
— Morten Andersen (@MortenAnder) October 2, 2023
Incidents like this also underscore the vital role of race marshals in safeguarding the integrity of cycling events.
What the hell?! I hope they were arrested.
— Anna Mac 👑🪱 🌈🖤 (@AnnamacB) October 1, 2023
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Whether in the middle of the race or not, it is essential that drivers exhibit some road awareness. However, this display of pure obliviousness would have almost cost someone’s life. The driver seemed to be on autopilot, and even put his blinkers on, signaling the turn.
The driver needs their licence disqualified.
— Deane Scott (@ScottyD53) October 3, 2023
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In a showdown that could’ve been titled “Cyclists vs. Car,” our peloton, flying at speeds that could rival a jet plane, faced off against an unsuspecting motorist. It was like a scene straight out of an action movie. As the cycling community and fans worldwide take stock of this heart-stopping moment, it stands as a powerful reminder that safety on the road is a shared responsibility. What are your thoughts about this incident? Let us know in the comment section below!
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