All Time Worst Pro Race Crashes

[on3m@n@rmy]

If suffering on the bike isn't enough, how about the UNplanned mishaps that are part of racing? I'll start with one of the worst ever, the last stage of the 1994 Tour where a camera-toting policeman took out Laurent Jalabert (around the 2:50 time marker in the video below of Tour crashes).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOmx9J1jwAo&feature=related

 

[ingsve]

Well, any crashes where lives were lost are of course among the very worst. Fabio Casartelli and Andrey Kiviliev come to mind. Then there are of course crashes that look very spectacular but that eventhough they resulted in injuries thankfully didn't cause any deaths. In recent years, Horrillo and Pereiro come to mind.

 

[For The World]

I submit, for your consideration, Mr Mario Cipollini in the Vuelta a Espana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Y_KOwa5pA

 

[Christian]

Fränk Schleck falls down ravine (Tour de Suisse 2008)

Josepa Beloki (although the commentators only focus on Lance's amazing MTB skills

 

[Hawkwood]

Abdoujaparov in the last 100 metres of the final stage of the 1991 Tour on the Champs-Elysees, see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nt4x3nuzfQ
The aerial shot in the last few seconds of the clip is just horrible.

 

[valentius borealis]

A couple of crashes that I've read about (but haven't actually seen) which were pretty bad are Rigoberto Uran's crash in the 2007 Tour of Germany (when he was riding for Unibet), and Timmy Duggan's crash in the 2008 Tour of Georgia.

 

[Moncoutie]

If suffering on the bike isn't enough, how about the UNplanned mishaps that are part of racing? I'll start with one of the worst ever, the last stage of the 1994 Tour where a camera-toting policeman took out Laurent Jalabert (around the 2:50 time marker in the video below of Tour crashes).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOmx9J1jwAo&feature=related

David Arroyo climbing back up the cliff at 1.35 is hilarious! And that dog at 2.30

 

[Four Winds]

Abdoujaparov in the last 100 metres of the final stage of the 1991 Tour on the Champs-Elysees, see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nt4x3nuzfQ
The aerial shot in the last few seconds of the clip is just horrible.

That's the one that always comes to my mind. Especially the fact he had to cross the finish line to win the green jersey and he was in no fit state.

 

[hrotha]

Abdou's crash is one of my very first cycling memories. I wonder why I stuck around instead of becoming a NASCAR fan or something.

 

[DAOTEC]

http://www.gonomo.net/videos-insolites/owned/BRE771762.html

 

[LeakyLens]

Bart Wellens's in a cross race last week was pretty spectacular

 

[Kwibus]

Bart Wellens's in a cross race last week was pretty spectacular

It's an epic faceplant cycling pic indeed.

First one that came to my mind when I saw the title was Jalaberts crash. Made a huge impression on me with the blood coming 'out' of his eyes.

 

[The_Z_man]

I was going to say Casartelli, but I got beaten to it.

Oscar Periero descending the Col Angel is up there. When I watched it, I was amazed nobody on the next switchback ran over him. He said he thought he was going to die, but he never lost consciousness.

 

[Guidokcd]

the video of the guy crashing into the back of the car reminder me of Davis Phinney crashing into the back of a car in L-B-L, I believe in ´88. Cipo´s Vuelta crash is epic for the lack of a helmet. He´s lucky to be alive after that one.

 

[steelciocc]

Jens' faceplant from the TdF a couple of years ago is hard for me to watch. Thankfully he recovered fully...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-payruR2-k

 

[Nastyy]

If suffering on the bike isn't enough, how about the UNplanned mishaps that are part of racing? I'll start with one of the worst ever, the last stage of the 1994 Tour where a camera-toting policeman took out Laurent Jalabert (around the 2:50 time marker in the video below of Tour crashes).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOmx9J1jwAo&feature=related

Off-topic but the commentator on Finnish Eurosport once said that the legendary track cyclist Arnaud Tournant has the battery that flew off the policeman's camera when Jalabert crashed. Does anybody know if this is really true?

 

[RedheadDane]

Fränk Schleck falls down ravine (Tour de Suisse 2008)

Yeah. I actually saw that crash in one of those bike-crashes vids on YouTube and was all "OMG!! DID HE SURVIVE??"
Then I realized who it was...

Jens' faceplant from the TdF a couple of years ago is hard for me to watch. Thankfully he recovered fully...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-payruR2-k

OUCH! Yah...
And to think that just a few days later he more-or-less complained about not being allowed to participate in the Tour of Denmark... yup! That's Jens to you...

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Well, any crashes where lives were lost are of course among the very worst. Fabio Casartelli and Andrey Kiviliev come to mind. Then there are of course crashes that look very spectacular but that eventhough they resulted in injuries thankfully didn't cause any deaths. In recent years, Horrillo and Pereiro come to mind.

Absolutely, Ingsve. Thank you for the reminder.

http://www.gonomo.net/videos-insolites/owned/BRE771762.html

DAO! Are you kidding? OUCH x 10. Luckily it looks like the guy survived.

 

[Francois the Postman]

http://www.gonomo.net/videos-insolites/owned/BRE771762.html

Just watch the guy in green getting out of the car and what his first reaction is.


My contribution:
---------

Wim Van Est, 1951 Tdf Stage 12. First Dutchman to gain yellow, the day before. Next day, in the descent of the Col d'Aubisque:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnWaMydac2Q&feature=related

This is in the a-la-Frank category, or maybe more Horrillo without the tragic consequences: 70m down a ravine without serious injuries. Climbed back to the road and wanted to carry on. Was persuaded to get a hospital check-up instead, pronto. Certainly not one of the worst crashes ever, but one I have read about so often, and seen many photos of the drop. Never even knew there was actual footage. Just found it, so thought this might be a good place to share. There is a plaque on that spot now.

 

[hmsgenoa]

Stage 16 1983 Tour de France, Henk Lubberding ruthlessly switches and takes out opponent in finale;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kGn3QIw34&playnext=1&list=PLCEAE7A7853C9BE93&index=5

I remeber seeing this at the time of The Kelloggs city centre races in England. Footage then was clearer and Lubberding was quite clearly aware of what he was doing, just put the guy in the barrier. Can't remember the story - maybe the other guy ahdn't done a tap of work the last few k's but, nonetheless nasty viewing.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

You don't want to see what's under the bandage.
________
Ducati 749

 

[Steel4Ever]

John Lee Augustyn's straight-off-the-edge ride!

And yet another ugly police-in-the-way Tdf sprint crash featuring Ja-Ja and Wilfried Nelissen (and quite possibly the beginning of the end of his career).

 

[ultimobici]

Stage 16 1983 Tour de France, Henk Lubberding ruthlessly switches and takes out opponent in finale;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kGn3QIw34&playnext=1&list=PLCEAE7A7853C9BE93&index=5

I remeber seeing this at the time of The Kelloggs city centre races in England. Footage then was clearer and Lubberding was quite clearly aware of what he was doing, just put the guy in the barrier. Can't remember the story - maybe the other guy ahdn't done a tap of work the last few k's but, nonetheless nasty viewing.

Michel Laurent was the rider he switched into the barriers. Lubberding was on Post's team and Post expected you to win.

 

[hrotha]

John Lee Augustyn's straight-off-the-edge ride!

And yet another ugly police-in-the-way Tdf sprint crash featuring Ja-Ja and Wilfried Nelissen (and quite possibly the beginning of the end of his career).

Wilfried Nelissen was quite likely the unluckiest rider of the 90s. He could have been huge.

 

[Moncoutie]

Cipo And the driver of that car is great, does he even notice the cyclist lying there?!