Video - Men who taunted, lunged at, Giro riders identified by police

Two men appeared to taunt and repeatedly lunged at the Giro riders, even reaching out to try and touch them as the peloton passed their vantage point today

Police in Italy have begun a process against two men arising from their actions as the Giro d'Italia passed them during stage 6 of the race today, Thursday, (see videos below) on the 141km route from Paestum to Naples.

The two men were standing on a roundabout, to the right of the passing bunch, when they repeatedly lunged into the road at the riders.

At some points they extended their legs and arms in the direction of the riders, provoking a reaction from some and appearing to make contact with at least one.

Thankfully, the incident did not result in a crash. However, the way the men lunged into the road created the impression they were stepping into the peloton, which would have been very unsettling for the riders.

The Corriere della Sera news site has reported the men are two 19-year-olds who have been identified by police. And now police officers are reportedly preparing a case against them.

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It is alleged the men endangered public safety at a sports event during the incident, which occurred near San Vitaliano and was broadcast on TV.

"Officers from the Nola police station immediately identified them and are now filing charges against them with the Nola prosecutor's office for endangering public safety during sporting events," the newspaper reported.

The Giro organisers posted a clip of the incident urging people to "respect the riders, respect the race, respect the Giro d'Italia".

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"Fans, tifosi, ee love you on the roadside," said the message accompanying the video. "We love your enthusiasm, we love that you cheer on the riders, we love that you dress like flamingos. But there's a line not to cross. Don't be like this guy."

The stage into Naples came down to a bunch sprint won by Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana Team) from Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step).

A crash at the front deep inside the final kilometre, at a right hander on cobbles, took down the lead riders and delayed others. Bellerini and Stuyven were the only two riders at the front who managed to pass the incident unimpeded.

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