Yves Lampaert was in with a great chance of taking a podium placing at Paris-Roubaix today when a spectator leaning out into the road brought him down.
While fans often encroach into the road, they step back a little when the riders pass. However, the spectator didn't move. He had his arms out in front of him clapping and caught the right side of Lampaert's handlebars, sending him crashing to the ground with less than 5km to go.
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider was with Matej Mohorič (Bahrain - Victorious) at the time, chasing down lone leader and eventual winner Dylan van Baarle (Ineos Grenadiers). While they had no chance of catching Van Baarle - who rode brilliantly to victory - they may have stayed clear of the chasing group to fight it out for 2nd and 3rd.
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Instead, their two-man move was ended by the crash and Mohorič was caught by the chasers, finishing 5th on the day, with Lampaert getting back on his bike and taking 10th.
More to come.
