Tour de Froth, 2011. Disaster.
A hideous crash has eliminated the entire peloton from the Tour de Froth, in what organizers describe as “a blaze of arrogance.”
The incident occurred at mile 50 within sight of the finish, fifty being a multiple of 25, as the lead group approached a section of the course that had been clearly marked in the regulations. Witnesses report that the riders had not read the regulations. Several were heard saying they “didn’t need to.”
The crash began when the front of the peloton, travelling at unverifiable speed, declined to slow for a plywood-and-cinder-block jump. Observers say the lead riders took the jump “without looking,” “with their hands off the bars,” and, in at least one case, “while gesturing to the crowd.”
The second rank, who were looking at the first rank, followed them in. The third rank, who were looking at the second, followed in turn. Then someone set them on fire; there was no peloton remaining to speak of.
“The bears did not need to be released,” an organizer said. “We released them anyway, per the regulations.”
Official Statement
All riders involved in the crash have been disqualified. Any rider who had not registered was already disqualified. Any rider who has not participated remains qualified.
The organizers reached no decision on the overall winner.
Reaction
“We would like to extend our sympathy to the riders and their families,” a spokesperson said on behalf of Les Spectacle. “We would also like to remind them that registration closed some time ago, and they are disqualified.”
