Shocking footage has emerged of the lead rider in a Brazilian road race being hit by a car, after the driver reportedly ploughed through a road block that wasn’t being monitored by authorities. In protest, the whole peloton subsequently abandoned the stage and laid their bikes in the road. 

The incident happened on the fourth and final stage of the Garulhos Tour, with the impact destroying the rider’s bike and badly damaging his knee according to Mundo Bici. Look closely in the background, and you can also see a policeman checking his phone, seemingly oblivious to what’s about to happen. 

The peloton then collectively decided the stage wasn’t safe to continue with roadblocks not being policed, and abandoned the stage; therefore, the overall victory was awarded to Rodrigo De Melo of Team Cycling Funvic based off the first three stage results, and the first 52km of what should have been a 70km final stage. 

Many Brazilians on social media claim the crash was an accident waiting to happen, and applauded the solidarity of the riders for downing their bikes and saying enough is enough.