The two men who recklessly jumped out in front of the peloton at the Giro d’Italia, pushing and attempting to kick the riders, have been identified and charged by police, according to local media reports.
The spectators, aged 19 and 20, were widely condemned by cycling fans on Thursday, after they stepped onto the road and lunged towards the peloton on a roundabout with 50km remaining of yesterday’s stage between Paestum and Naples, won by Davide Ballerini in a chaotic, crash-marred sprint.
A number of riders, including Ballerini’s XDS Astana teammate and former race leader Thomas Silva, were forced to swerve to avoid the men, who aimed kicks in their direction, while Soudal Quick-Step’s Gianmarco Garofoli was pushed by one of the spectators.
The incident, captured on the TV cameras, was also filmed by what appears to a friend of the men and posted on social media, the clip showing the spectators laughing throughout the incident.
Hay que ser corto… esperemos que no pase en el TDF en el paso por Barcelona
Via https://t.co/WGPVfcqqdq https://t.co/L8KaYE9KsW pic.twitter.com/nFyUYnff0j— Josef Ajram Tares (@josefajram) May 14, 2026
According to RAI, the two men who ran onto the road, aged 19 and 20 from San Vitaliano, were swiftly identified by police using the TV footage and taken to the public prosecutor’s office in Nola. They are expected to be charged with endangering public safety during a sporting event.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported that the men told police that they were trying to “pull a prank”.
Officers are also expected to seek a DASPO for the two men, which would see them banned from attending sporting events, a punishment often handed out to violent football fans known as ‘ultras’, while also leaving them subject to a fine.
One of the two men has a previous criminal record for robbery, RAI reported. Giro organisers RCS also told local media that the CPA riders’ union are expected to file a formal complaint against the two men.
Following yesterday’s stage, riders who witnessed the pair’s actions were quick to point out the potential danger they caused in the peloton.
“I saw it all because Guillermo Thomas Silva was riding just in front of me, and he shouted at them to go to hell,” XDS Astana rider Alberto Bettiol told La Gazzetta. “They do not realise how fast we are going. If we hit them, we all get hurt.”
“”Show-offs? I don’t know. They didn’t realise what could happen, but I don’t think they wanted to rush into the peloton,” stage winner Ballerini added.
“I hope it’s understood that if they come to watch and cheer us on, they’re welcome, but there must be mutual respect.”
On Thursday, the Giro’s organisers immediately released a statement in response to the spectators’ actions, calling on fans at the roadside to “respect” the event and its participants.
“Respect the riders. Respect the race. Respect the Giro d’Italia,” the race said on its social media accounts.
“Fans, Tifosi. We love you on the roadside. We love your enthusiasm, we love that you cheer on the riders, we love that you dress like flamingos, or other animals.
“But there’s a line not to cross. Don’t be like this guy.”
7 thoughts on “Reckless Giro d’Italia spectators who hit riders claim they were “trying to pull a prank” as police set to charge them with endangering peloton”
If you can depend on one thing, its that attention starved people cannot help but film every single stupid thing they do. You would think these people spend their lives watching people do stupid/dangerous things on social media and realise that everyone gets caught when there is a will for it.
Utter tossers.
What would be their mitigating excuse if their stupidity ended a cyclist’s career, or worse?
@Mr Blackbird I think they’re probably too dim to even realise that could be a possibility. I hope they get hit with some major fines on top of being banned from any sporting event. They might just understand losing a wad of cash.
“Two men”? They have a long way to go before earning that title
How about the Italian Judiciary pull a prank and give them a couple of months in jail each? The little shits.
Please don’t refer to them as ‘fans’.
We must be tolerant and civil for the freedom of expression of these individuals as their actions indicate individual rights in taking liberties that do impinge on the obligation of others.