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'You're about to go viral!' - Benjamin Thomas escapes accident at Stage 6 after bizarre flask incident with fan
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Published 15/03/2025 at 18:54 GMT
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Stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico could have thrown up a huge accident due to a surprising interaction between Cofidis rider Benjamin Thomas, and an overly enthusiastic supporter on the roadside. The Frenchman offered up his flask in thanks to the fan for his support as the peloton cycled by, only for Thomas to end up in a potentially dangerous situation on Saturday in Italy.
'Almost like he was going for the brake lever!' - Thomas falls after trying to give fan flask
Video credit: TNT Sports
Cofidis rider Benjamin Thomas suffered a scare after a fan made a surprise move towards his bike during Stage 6 at Tirreno-Adriatico.
The 29-year-old Frenchman is an experienced rider and was in the peloton as the competitors battled in Italy.
The side of the road was lined with supporters, offering their encouragement to the cyclists along their way to the finish line.
And Thomas tried to acknowledge the support of the well-wishers in a time-honoured tradition, offering his flask that he had been using along the way.
The fan gratefully received the present, but things quickly went south for them both.
As Thomas tried to hand off the flask, the supporter reached out, only to accidentally clip the right brake level on his handlebars.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
The TNT Sports commentary team summed up the moment by saying: "It's like he's [the fan is] going for the brake lever!
"In a kind of way, it was Benjamin's fault as well, because his hand was so close to his own brake lever.
"He got away with it. Benjamin, you're about to go viral!"
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Fortunately for both parties involved, the interaction took place at a slow speed and the rider seemed to be unable to keep upright, sent spinning before putting his feet to the ground without any obvious injury, and he was able to quickly get back into the race.
For the rest of the tournament, though, he may keep his focus on the road ahead of him and eschew any more engagement with members of the public in attendance.
Stage 7 of Tirreno-Adriatico gets underway on Sunday, with coverage starting at 12:05 GMT, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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