Fan who caused Tour de France crash goes on trial
A spectator who caused a huge crash on the first stage of the Tour de France in June has gone on trial.
The woman, who turned herself in some days later, had been holding up a cardboard sign towards a television camera, while facing away from the oncoming cyclists.
She sent one cyclist tumbling to the ground, with dozens more falling as they rode into him, in a scene that grabbed global headlines.
The court will rule on the case on December 9, lawyer Romuald Palao, who represents the Professional Cyclists' Association (CPA), which is party to the trial, said.
"What we want from this trial is that it helps ensure this does not happen again. Cycling is dangerous enough in itself, no need for additional risks," Palao said. "People on the side of the road must act responsibly."
He said the riders' union would not hesitate to file more lawsuits if such incidents were to happen again, adding that spectators taking selfies or posing for pictures or videos needed to be wary of the cyclists' safety.