Disrespectful fans reached a new low on Saturday. Two drunken fans tried to steal a bike off the roof of a Visma-Lease A Bike, according to the team.
The incident occurred during the fourth stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
One fan physically climbed onto the team car to try steal the bike. The other “behaved very aggressively towards the occupants of the car” according to a statement from the team.
While the theft wasn’t successful, the incident is clearly very serious. The team says both the police and race organisers are now involved.
UPDATE: The Scannellatori Seriali Instagram account shared video of the incident and it is way crazier and way more aggressive than Visma’s reasonably-toned announcement made it sound. You can see the video below.
A new low in a long history of being dumb
We’ve seen all manner of rude, dangerous and disrespectful behaviour from cycling “fans” over the years. Enough that the Belgian federation specifically asked supporters not to be stupid this year. Apparently, these two fans took that to mean they could do whatever they want on Italian roads.
Trying to take a team bike mid-race is, to my memory, a first. Obviously the team’s name is not actually an invitation to ‘borrow’ one of its rider’s bikes. Never, but especially not during the middle of a race.
The Visma staff in the car were, as you’d expect, shaken by the incident.
“We take this incident very seriously, as it put the safety of our colleagues at risk,” says Visma-Lease A Bike’s Richard Plugge. “Our staff on site immediately went to the police and also reported the incident to the race organization. In the end, no equipment was stolen and no damage was caused. The colleagues in the car are okay, but understandably shaken.”
Belgian federation asks fans not to be stupid this year
Escalation after a spring of training ride incidents
Saturday’s incident comes at the tail end of a spring that has seen numerous riders harassed or obstructed by fans seeking to join in on training rides. Jonas Vingegaard recently crashed after a fan was following him and he wanted to get rid of him. UAE is now sending a motorcycle with Pogi when he rides to keep him safe.
In past seasons, both Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar have dealt with abuse and mis-treatment by roadside fans.
It should go without saying, but if you’re calling yourself a fan of cycling, don’t put the rider’s you’re cheering for in danger. And definitely don’t try to steal their bike, even if it is the spare.