French law enforcement and security personnel had to intervene when a prankster, disguised as a cyclist, breached the Tour de France track just before a critical stage’s conclusion. The man, mimicking a professional rider, was swiftly identified as he jumped over the barriers with his bicycle attempting to cross the finish line of Stage 17, sporting a Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale jersey.
The individual was promptly escorted off the track to ensure the safety of the race leaders. Stage 17 culminated in a victory for Jonathan Milan of Italy.
This year’s Tour de France has experienced various disruptive incidents. During Stage 11, security had to halt a pro-Palestine demonstrator who intruded onto the track, sprinting towards the finish line while riders were in the vicinity.
The protestor carried a message on his shirt stating, “Israel out of the Tour,” and brandished a keffiyeh, a symbolic pro-Palestine headdress. In a separate occurrence on the 14th stage, an INEOS team vehicle collided with a spectator who ventured onto the road. Additionally, a knife-wielding assailant was shot in the leg by authorities for attempting to disrupt the race during a previous stage.
The attacker reportedly menaced individuals and assaulted a police officer near the finish line of stage 4, where crowds gathered to witness the competitive showdown involving Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Jonas Vingegaard.
However, it was 24-year-old Milan who claimed victory in Stage 17, expressing gratitude to his team for their support in securing his second stage win at his debut Tour de France appearance.
Amid a rain-soaked sprint finish in Valence, a significant crash occurred one kilometer from the end, capturing headlines. Milan, riding for Lidl-Trek, leads the points classification by 72 points over the acclaimed Pogacar, anticipating a fierce competition with the Slovenian sensation.
Milan reflected on his team’s performance, stating, “We achieved 61 points today, so I’m really happy about that,” emphasizing their strategic goals. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Pogacar and pledged to give his utmost effort to maintain the lead in the green jersey competition.
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