Tour de France penalties: Ineos Grenadiers face 5000 CHF fine and yellow card due to team car colliding with a spectator.
Tour de France: Ineos Grenadiers' Victory Marred by Spectator Accident
During Saturday's Stage 14 of the 2025 Tour de France, an unfortunate incident occurred on the Col de Peyresourde in the central Pyrenees. A spectator was hit by an Ineos Grenadiers team car, approximately 32.6km from the end of the race [1].
The incident, which was captured on TV and subsequently shared on social media, involved the team car driven by sports director Oliver Cookson. The car was reported to be driving in the middle of the road when the incident occurred [1].
Following the accident, Cookson was fined 5,000 Swiss francs (CHF) and issued a yellow card by the race jury [4]. However, the fairness of the punishment has been questioned by other team officials, such as Visma’s Plugge, who highlighted the perceived lack of crowd control by race organizers as a contributing factor [3][4].
In a statement released later the same day, Ineos Grenadiers expressed their thoughts and apologies to the affected spectator. The team emphasized that the incident was unintentional and regrettable [5]. The statement did not mention any further disciplinary action against the team or its staff.
The incident occurred during the same stage (14) on the Col du Peyresourde where a breakaway involving Ineos riders Thymen Arensman and Carlos Rodríguez took place. Arensman went on to win the stage, marking the first victory for Ineos at the Tour de France since 2023 [2].
Despite the unfortunate incident, fans packed the climb on the Col du Peyresourde, cheering on the riders [6]. The condition of the spectator is not known at this time, and no further official details about the spectator's condition or additional responses from Ineos Grenadiers or Tour de France officials have been reported as of the available sources.
The spectator lost her hat and phone during the incident [7]. The fine given to Cookson has almost halved Arensman's prize money for winning the stage, as he received €11,000 for his victory [8]. It's important to note that the yellow card given to Cookson can be given to any member of the race, not just riders.
Ineos Grenadiers have acknowledged the importance of maintaining a safe race environment for all, including spectators [3]. The team will likely conduct an internal investigation to prevent such incidents in the future.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5] [6] [Source 6] [7] [Source 7] [8] [Source 8]
- Despite the unfortunate accident involving an Ineos Grenadiers team car during the Tour de France, sports fans continue to show their support and enthusiasm for the competition.
- The fine issued to sports director Oliver Cookson following the incident on the Col de Peyresourde, although significant, pales in comparison to the prize money won by Ineos Grenadiers' Thymen Arensman in the same stage of the race.
