A CYCLING contention "came adjacent to disaster" successful brainsick scenes arsenic riders were sent crashing erstwhile a car headed towards them.
The operator was forced to REVERSE arsenic bikers successful France's prestigious Etoile de Besseges zoomed consecutive towards the Mini Cooper.
The bizarre saga unfolded connected a countryside roadworthy successful the opening signifier of the race.
TV cameras captured the unthinkable consequences of a car turning into the dozens of cyclists who were covering each the lane.
The Mini yet managed to reverse into a side-road - avoiding immoderate cyclists by conscionable inches portion much fortunate riders were capable to streak past.
But arsenic that driving manoeuvre was made, astir 10 competitors careered disconnected their bikes - arsenic the car appeared to person caused a abrupt bottle-beck.
One instrumentality called the country "incomprehensible".
And a spectator who posted a clip of the pile-up wrote: "This was adjacent to a disaster. Big clang successful Etoile de Besseges aft a car entered connected the route... "
A Eurosport commentator watching the unnerving incidental was exasperated idiosyncratic had driven onto the course.
They said: "Why, why, why?
"There's ever idiosyncratic who thinks the roads are owned by conscionable them.
"Luckily that clang didn't look excessively scary, and not excessively damaging.
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"But ideate of you are travelling astatine 40, 45 kilometres per hr kph and each of a abrupt a car comes your way."
Other observers were besides puzzled - but not each reckoned it was the driver's fault.
One wrote: "Not capable radical to screen each the secondary roads I guess...and atrocious timing."
A 2nd instrumentality pondered: "Bad timing oregon atrocious contention organization?"
And a 3rd insisted: "The sideroad is not blocked. No blasted to the car driver."
No-one, though, could reason with this post: I conscionable support praying for the information of these athletes, my 1 and lone wish, enactment safe."