timmer88 said:its pretty clear that a lot of people on this thread apparently think cavendish can do no wrong. anyone who has actually seen the footage of the crash will clearly see cavendish cut across the front of the pack and run directly into haussler. i dont think haussler deserves any blame, the only thing he did was to hold his line and not just let cavendish cut him off. slicing across the front of the group like that is a cheap trick to try to scare other riders into hesitating and losing their momentum, and this time it backfired on cavendish and unfortunately he took down a lot of riders with him. his reactions to criticism after the race also show his lack of respect toward the other riders and thier safety as well. i personally think he got off light considering all the damage he did
You have got a grasp of the video or still photos, but not the general consensus. Those that have been in that circumstance accept some of that behaviour to a standard, bare-knuckle sprint. That the consequences would mean wage-earining riders would be out for the season and the rider causing the activity would not offer up an apology is dead wrong. That he would further demean his fellow pros by another gesture means he has no respect for the profession. His payback will likely come at a time and in a way he does not expect. It will cost him if the peloton has any spine.