A fan with a cardboard sign caused an enormous, chain reaction crash during stage 1 of the Tour de France on Saturday, and the video is as dramatic as you’ll see from the intense event.

The famous international event was marred twice by crashes in the first stage, but the pile-up caused when fan encroached on the course will be remembered for a long time.

Veteran competitor Tony Martin is the rider whom the crazed and oblivious fan that obviously trying to get his sign on TV first knocks over. The rest of the chain reaction ended, as seen in the screenshot above, in a massive collapse of the field.

German rider Jasha Suetterlin of Team DSM was the first to have to withdraw from the race entirely due to injuries sustained in the crash.

The videos and photos will make even the most casual observer exclaim “What an idiot!”

Watch:

A fan caused a huge crash at the Tour de France today that took down a large group of riders in the first stage

(via @NBCSSports)pic.twitter.com/1r7ZROEGzD

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 26, 2021

Some other shots.

How not to watch a bike race!

A crazy fan causes chaos on stage 1 of the Tour de France. pic.twitter.com/nydkPZWvXm

— GlobalCyclingNetwork (@gcntweet) June 26, 2021

The worst Tour de France crash I've ever seen pic.twitter.com/1jngQE1pYg

— daniel (@cyclingreporter) June 26, 2021

And some photos:

The official Tour de France Twitter account shared a message afterward. We’re glad you’re back, but don’t be an ass.

Not in so many words but, yeah, that’s the gist.

We're glad to have the public on the side of the road on the #TDF2021.

But for the Tour to be a success, respect the safety of the riders!

Don't risk everything for a photo or to get on television! pic.twitter.com/eA6nnhRhWv

— Tour de France (@LeTour) June 26, 2021

Use some sense. By the way, the sign the genius was holding says “Go Grandpa-Grandma!” Not sure whether that’s relevant but there you go.

The post WATCH: Genius Fan With Cardboard Sign Causes Massive Chain Reaction Crash at Tour de France first appeared on Mediaite.

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