What should be done about idiotic spectators?

[Race Radio]

here is an option

https://vine.co/v/MdLugXQtg2Y

 

[Glocknerkoenig]

That Poels move is one of the best things I've seen in years. Completely casual.

I think these idiots just don't understand how tricky it is to keep a rhythm on those steep sections and actually try to perform whilst most likely deep in the red, let alone dodging morons along the way. Plus they seem to hinder the riders they're supporting? Makes zero sense.

The only time it is acceptable to move at the same pace as the peleton is if you're riding a horse in an adjacent field in France. Then you're a boss.

 

[mihhint]

Crowd didn't look too bad today. Hey even last GT @Angliru it was many many times worse. The push on Bongiorno was unfortunate, but I'm sure this guy must be feeling terrible about himself now. Even if the dumbass didn't realize what he did right away, he must have seen/heard about it from TV/friends later. About getting a push...unless u got cameras on u competing for win or u get pushed into someone's back wheel like today, I've heard from multiple riders how they really appreciate a proper push and how much it can help just those few seconds of rest. Also riders who've encouraged their fans to give em a push. But yes, that kind of stuff should be better left off for sprinters grupetto if anything, both too dangerous and unfair for the race up front.

 

[christopherrowe]

The guy who interfered with Bongiorno saw what he'd done, sat down on the raised roadside wall/curb, and struck it with his fist, obviously expressing some kind of heightened emotion. Frustration? Anger? Embarrassment that he'd done such a thing?

Today I found myself standing in my living room, shouting at my television as I have on so many days past, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way, fools!"

But alas, as others have said, there's really nothing to be done. The roadside antics of fans thankfully only rarely hinder the riders, and while I personally find them more annoying than entertaining, they have long been a part of cycling.

 

[Flamin]

That was just epic. Most entertaining moment of the day, but what did that guy do wrong actually? I missed it.

 

[classicomano]

That was just epic. Most entertaining moment of the day, but what did that guy do wrong actually? I missed it.

He was running next to Majka waving a Polish flag, blocking Rolland who then gave him a smack on the head and than Poels snatched his glasses.

 

[Flamin]

He was running next to Majka waving a Polish flag, blocking Rolland who then gave him a smack on the head and than Poels snatched his glasses.

Lol. I would have given money to see the look on that guy's face when Poels threw the glasses away.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The potential trouble makers are usually easy to spot (weird costumes for weird people etc) Place a policeman, soldier, race usher near them. Preferably a big strong dude with heavy scarring, jailhouse tats and a thousand yard stare.

On Arrate at the 2012 Vuelta you had an interesting situation where around about the junction where Arrate splits off from the Alto de Ixua, there were a couple of refreshment stalls. Yes, you could buy beer there. But the Ertzaintza had a very strong presence around that section; there was a long straight ending with the 3km to go banner. They were a man every few fans to prevent any troublemakers, and you couldn't run far with the riders because the next one of them would stop you.

However, once you got past the 3km to go banner, the route went round a corner, and no Ertzaintza anymore. They basically worked out most of the potential troublemakers would be closest to where alcohol was being served, and beyond that, the fans could police themselves.

 

[Christian]

He was running next to Majka waving a Polish flag, blocking Rolland who then gave him a smack on the head and than Poels snatched his glasses.

Thanks for sharing, I hadn't seen that. Still in comparison to a lot of others he was fairly normal. Cool move by Poels though, respect!

It's a fine line... I am glad cycling is colourful, and that it's a celebration. But on roads like the Zoncolan it's too much. I also agree with what a poster said earlier, a lot of these so-called "fans" are not there to support the riders but to get themselves on the TV. To be fair though, these incidents where a spectator actively influences the outcome of a race happen pretty rarely.

But all things considered I prefer these people that are over-enthusiastic to the hooligans and drunks at Carrefour de l'Arbre who spit on the riders and throw beer at them.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Thanks for sharing, I hadn't seen that. Still in comparison to a lot of others he was fairly normal. Cool move by Poels though, respect!

It's a fine line... I am glad cycling is colourful, and that it's a celebration. But on roads like the Zoncolan it's too much. I also agree with what a poster said earlier, a lot of these so-called "fans" are not there to support the riders but to get themselves on the TV. To be fair though, these incidents where a spectator actively influences the outcome of a race happen pretty rarely.

But all things considered I prefer these people that are over-enthusiastic to the hooligans and drunks at Carrefour de l'Arbre who spit on the riders and throw beer at them.

Or that hit race leaders in the head with cameras.

 

[orangerider]

Crowd didn't look too bad today. Hey even last GT @Angliru it was many many times worse. The push on Bongiorno was unfortunate, but I'm sure this guy must be feeling terrible about himself now. Even if the dumbass didn't realize what he did right away, he must have seen/heard about it from TV/friends later.

That "World Champion" fan was later seen doing the same thing to the main group. Most certainly not one that cared at all. Wouldn't be surprised if he caused more mayhem that was not caught by the camera.

 

[Escarabajo]

Today was really bad.

I would extend the barriers of some key mountains like this one, Alpe d’Huez, Ventoux and Angliru. Bring more marshals. Not really that much more that you can do if you consider that this is a fan sport where you can actually be very close to the cyclists.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Ban alcohol on climbs for a start.

 

[Afrank]

Thanks. It must be hard for Poels...to be that awesome.

I already liked him, but this cements his place as one of my favorite riders.

 

[Afrank]

Crowd didn't look too bad today. Hey even last GT @Angliru it was many many times worse. The push on Bongiorno was unfortunate, but I'm sure this guy must be feeling terrible about himself now. Even if the dumbass didn't realize what he did right away, he must have seen/heard about it from TV/friends later. About getting a push...unless u got cameras on u competing for win or u get pushed into someone's back wheel like today, I've heard from multiple riders how they really appreciate a proper push and how much it can help just those few seconds of rest. Also riders who've encouraged their fans to give em a push. But yes, that kind of stuff should be better left off for sprinters grupetto if anything, both too dangerous and unfair for the race up front.

Watch it again. IMO the crowd was at their absolute worst. Some of the worst crowds I've seen. To prove this, let's count the incidents.
-The guy Poels had to grab and throw away the glasses of, and Rolland giving him a smack.
-Rogers had to throw a punch.
-The guy that screwed up Bongiorno's race, and later was back to doing the same thing running alongside the GC guys.
-Rogers had to thrown another punch later.
-Plus numerous other times where the fans were swarming just way too close to the various riders.

Edit:
-watching the reply, another incident, guy with a Colombian flag cape almost knocks Quintana over (around 4.2K).

 

[zapata]

That idiot who pushed bongiorno, I almost feel sorry for him, since he just intended to help bongiorno, and clearly regretted it. The crowd that kept running along Rogers long after he told them to f off, those guys are the real problem. If i were a cameraman, I'd point my camera in any other direction than those ******s.

 

[stefank]

That idiot who pushed bongiorno, I almost feel sorry for him, since he just intended to help bongiorno, and clearly regretted it. The crowd that kept running along Rogers long after he told them to f off, those guys are the real problem. If i were a cameraman, I'd point my camera in any other direction than those ******s.

I don't feel sorry for him, because he clearly didn't learn from his mistake. The cameras showed him up to the same tricks about five minutes later.

 

[Race Radio]

I think my first Tour stage was 1980. Been to dozens of Vuelta/Giro/Tour stages since. It has gotten much worse. Yeah, things were bad in the Armstrong years. The French hated him and goofy Americans would flood the climbs but roadside at last years Tour was the worst I have seen it. Zero respect for the riders, in fact for many there was open contempt. Maybe I am wrong but I do not remember such strong Pro/Con emotions.

Running with the riders is stupid. They need to figure out how to manage it. One of the problems is often the riders encourage "Assistance". They will ride close to the spectators and actually say "pousse". Last year a rider in the break clearly asked for a push, which I gave, and Marc Madiot tried to run over my foot with his car. He always has been been a a bit emotional.

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

 

[Bexon30]

I think my first Tour stage was 1980. Been to dozens of Vuelta/Giro/Tour stages since. It has gotten much worse. Yeah, things were bad in the Armstrong years. The French hated him and goofy Americans would flood the climbs but roadside at last years Tour was the worst I have seen it. Zero respect for the riders, in fact for many there was open contempt. Maybe I am wrong but I do not remember such strong Pro/Con emotions.

Running with the riders is stupid. They need to figure out how to manage it. One of the problems is often the riders encourage "Assistance". They will ride close to the spectators and actually say "pousse". Last year a rider in the break clearly asked for a push, which I gave, and Marc Madiot tried to run over my foot with his car. He always has been been a a bit emotional.

I would imagine things will get worse. There seems to be more and more groups of lads who feel the need to out do each other with costumes and stupid performances. The commentators on British Eurosport seem to give way too much time to the idiots. Cycling should be fun sure. But yesterday was over the top. I think the only way it can be safely monitored is for any officials to choose to put themselves nearer to the fancy dress brigade. Also for new fans like the Americans were the new Brits and that Colombian fan who pushed Nairo then stopped in the middle of the road. These 'fans' should be made aware of dangers somehow. Maybe posters on trees and lamp posts asking for correct behaviour. It's a shame as a dozen or so idiots and clowns ruin the coverage, enjoyment of other road side fans and race outcome with their childlike behaviour. Fines after would be acceptable for me. But it's so hard to police. I'm of the view of Libertine it's a beautiful sport to be able to travel thousands of km's to a different country to stand on a mountain or roadside and talk to interesting fans and people from many countries. Even camping for days before. Cycling is unique these over zealous people just seem to want 5 seconds of fame. It's a shame. To trip up them is a dangerous act but I can understand the frustration toward these people. What the riders had to deal with was tough. Some riders reacted which is nice to see.

 

[benzwire]

The other idiots I hate are the ones that have their cell phones or cameras and are completely oblivious of their position in the road, in the way of the riders, etc.

 

[movingtarget]

Mountain crucifixions.

 

[DirtyWorks]

....But yesterday was over the top. I think the only way it can be safely monitored is for any officials to choose to put themselves nearer to the fancy dress brigade.

And you get long, boring processions up long climbs with people standing idly by.. AND THEN people stop showing up because what's the point??

It's not optimal. But, just a part of the sport.

 

[Bexon30]

And you get long, boring processions up long climbs with people standing idly by.. AND THEN people stop showing up because what's the point??

It's not optimal. But, just a part of the sport.

I'm all for Hulk Hogan but groups of lads running alongside riders for a few hundred meters? Spectators stopping dead after pushing their riders in the middle forcing other riders to swerve? It's just about knowing what's acceptable and what's not. Some people get carried away, by all means run and cheer on riders. Just do it far enough from them for it not to be a problem.
With more space riders might attack each other a bit more, but then again....!