• Tour de France

Team Sky boss Brailsford calls for action after crash

ESPN staff
July 11, 2011
Johnny Hoogerland ended up in a ditch © Getty Images
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Furious Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford has demanded that the organisers of the Tour de France "take the appropriate action" after watching Juan Antonio Flecha sent hurtling to the floor after a television car crashed into riders during Stage Nine.

Approximately 35km from the finish in Saint-Flour, a vehicle for French TV that was attempting to overtake the race leaders suddenly swerved to avoid a tree, knocking Flecha to the ground. Off balance, Flecha clipped Thomas Voeckler, who somehow managed to remain upright, and Johnny Hoogerland was sent flying into a barbed wire fence.

Both riders returned to their bikes and continued, but neither fully recovered from the collision and were caught by the chasing pack.

Following the incident, Brailsford, who has already been rocked by Bradley Wiggins' crash and subsequent withdrawal, said: "All teams recognise that crashes will happen. However, today's incident that saw Juan Antonio Flecha and Johnny Hoogerland knocked from their bike should not have happened. We are speaking with the race organisers and are confident they will take the appropriate action."

Stage winner Luis-Leon Sanchez, slammed organisers Amaury Sports Organisation, insisting they must "respect" the competitors. "This is totally unacceptable. The organisers must speak to the riders immediately. They must start respecting the riders. There has to be more control of the cars. Never again please."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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