A man who threw a bicycle into the path of riders at the Giro d’Italia last week is to be deported from the country, it has been revealed.
The shocking incident happened as a three-man breakaway – including eventual stage winner Damiano Cima – sped through the town of Conegliano in the Veneto on last Thursday’s Stage 18 of the race.
Another spectator ran onto the road to retrieve the bike just as the riders approached to avert what could have been a serious crash.
What's all this about?! #Giro pic.twitter.com/7QOQkfPOVv
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 30, 2019
The culprit – seen in the above video walking away from the scene, wearing a grey hoodie – was arrested shortly afterwards.
EF-Education First rider Sacha Modolo subsequently posted footage to Twitter showing the incident from another angle.
— Sacha Modolo (@SachaModolo) May 30, 2019
The man has since been identified as a 44-year-old Tunisian national, living in Vittorio Veneto, and with previous drug-related convictions, reports Oggi Treviso.
The newspaper says that a file has been opened to have him deported from the country as soon as possible.
Simon has been news editor at road.cc since 2009, reporting on 10 editions and counting of pro cycling’s biggest races such as the Tour de France, stories on issues including infrastructure and campaigning, and interviewing some of the biggest names in cycling. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, his background has proved invaluable in reporting on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, and the bike industry. He splits his time between London and Cambridge, and loves taking his miniature schnauzer Elodie on adventures in the basket of her Elephant Bike.