Legend slams race organisers over fatal 'farce'

10 months ago 69

By Damien McCartney and AP

A three-time Ironman World Champion has slammed the "farcical" events that led to the decease of a motorcycle enactment rider astatine a contention successful Hamburg connected Sunday day (AEST).

TV footage showed the incidental happened connected a conception of roadworthy wherever competitors were riding successful some directions arsenic portion of a loop successful the people for the cycling conception of the race. Motorbikes carrying camera operators were riding down the mediate of the road.

Police said successful a connection the 70-year-old motorbike rider died astatine the scene, a 26-year-old triathlete was treated for terrible injuries and a 50-year-old camera relation was treated successful infirmary for shock. Police were investigating however the clang happened.

Three-time satellite champion and Beijing Olympics golden medallist Jan Frodeno, who finished the contention successful fourth, was close adjacent to the clang tract and slammed the lawsuit organisers for allowing truthful galore motorcycles connected the choky portion of the course.

The Hamburg Ironman was marred by a clang betwixt a rival and a enactment motorcycle. (Supplied)

"I was close adjacent to it and saw the motorcycle shatter into what felt similar a 1000 pieces," helium said.

"I saw the cyclist successful beforehand of me, managed to manoeuvre around, and thought, 'Oh, f--k, f--k,' past I turned astir and saw the motorcyclist connected the ground, and I knew it couldn't beryllium good.

"From a purely sporting standpoint, it wasn't just due to the fact that the motorcycles were simply excessively close. They were riding successful a group, and astatine immoderate point, you inquire yourself, 'What is this?' It was a implicit farce. And with oncoming postulation arsenic well.

"I didn't spot (the crash) due to the fact that I had my caput down. I lone heard astir it. But it was unbelievably tight. There shouldn't beryllium immoderate motorcycles there.

Jan Frodeno finished 4th successful the race. (dpa/picture confederation via Getty I)

"I cognize it ever needs media coverage. But the athletes' information someway has to travel first. And, of course, the information of the volunteers successful this case."

The event's unrecorded watercourse was ended early, but not earlier copping dense disapproval for virtually ignoring the collision and consequent death.

"We are devastated by this tragic accident," a connection from the Ironman Group said.

"On a time meant to beryllium a solemnisation of the quality spirit, we alternatively mourn the nonaccomplishment of a subordinate of our triathlon community."

The contention was won by Frenchman Denis Chevrot.

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