Photographer Causes Horrific Crash at Italy’s Largest Bicycle Race
May 15, 2015
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The Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) is the most important stage race, after the Tour de France, but unfortunately the sixth stage that took place on Thursday will be remembered due to the unfortunate crash.
Near the end of the race an oblivious, and irresponsible, photographer leaned over the barrier to try and snap a photo with what appears to be a Canon 70-200mm lens. The result was Italian cyclist Daniele Colli crashing and breaking his arm (in a gruesome almost 90° angle. Pics below so be warned), and several other cyclists having a close encounter with the ground. One of them was the race leader, Alberto Contador, who dislocated his shoulder.
It is unknown if the photographer has been identified and if any action has been taken against him.
Colli, who suffered a compound fracture, retweeted a photo of him on the ground with his twisted arm, beside a photo of him flipping the bird in his hospital bed.
Based on the tweet Colli posted later on, it’s quite possible that the photographer was on the receiving end of the above bird:
“This person should apologize to everyone, he’s not even watching the race, incredible… #nocomment”, the post states.
Fortunately for Contador his injuries were not as bad and he went on to compete, after having his shoulder put back in place, it the next stage which took place this morning.
This was the second fan-triggered crash of the race after an amateur cyclist tried joining the competitors on Sunday.
One of the cyclists involved in the first crash later took to social media saying that he doesn’t blame the organizers or the police for the crash, only the spectator who crossed the barrier. His harsh message contained the words ‘bullshit’, ‘moron’ and ‘jerk’, and I can only imagine that Colli, Contador and several of the other involved in the second crash share his feelings.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7hcl3LjfRrk
[via Business Insider]
Liron Samuels
Liron Samuels is a wildlife and commercial photographer based in Israel. When he isn’t waking up at 4am to take photos of nature, he stays awake until 4am taking photos of the night skies or time lapses. You can see more of his work on his website or follow him on Facebook.
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28 responses to “Photographer Causes Horrific Crash at Italy’s Largest Bicycle Race”
Ηοlyy shit
Why did he need a such a lens so close up ?
You are obviously not a photographer if you think a 70-200mm lens is a “long lens”! Most cameras come with at least a 200mm lens these days as standard. By the way, I am both a cyclist and a photographer.
WTF are you on about? a 70-200mm f/2.8 is indeed a “long lens”.
“Most cameras come with at least a 200mm lens these days as standard.”
Name ONE professional DSLR that comes with a 200mm standard lens. You can’t. Because only crappy little cameras come standard with a 200mm in the kit and they are slow, plastic, junk lenses. If the rider had hit a “standard” kit 55-200 lens, the lens would have snapped off the camera and the accident wouldn’t have been so catastrophic.
Obviously you don’t know what you’re talking about. So the correct way to close your dumb statement would be “By the way, I am both a cyclist and a dude who owns a camera.” You’re not a photographer.
Either way he shouldn’t have been over the side of the barricade
And you’re right I’m no photographer but i know i wouldn’t use a 200mm when in 2 ft away from the action
Actually, you could use a 200mm lens for more than “zooming” in , maybe he wanted to narrow the perspective shooting down the gap between spectators and bicyclist or catch dramatic spectator responses from across the lane or it could have been his second body for quick shots without having to change lenses.
Well whatever he was doing he caused that rider to go down . hope he Got the shot he was going for
He will come out one day or another and then the internet will punish him :D
“even among the others watching the race” the correct translation actually is “he is not even watching the race”
(the translation of the second tweet is wrong, it should be “This person should apologize to everyone. Besides, he’s not even watching the race”)
Thanks Francesco and Anonimo – I corrected it! Looks like Both I and Business Insider got the same poor translation from Google Translate.
sounds funny ” Italy’s Largest Bicycle Race” here in europe you just need to say “giro d’italia” ;)
anywhere in the world that’s true. but dumbing it down is what works here.
This happened to me shooting a Color Run once. I was an official photographer taking shots from the track and someone was having so much fun they didn’t see me and crashed right into my lens. Both of us were okay but shaken. 2000 other people didn’t have any problem seeing and running around me and my bright orange vest. If I could have gotten worthwhile shots from another position I would have.
Haha. You’re relating your stupid bump incident at a “Color Run” to a disastrous crash caused by an idiot at a major international professional sporting event?
What exactly is the point to your inane allegory? Nobody cares.
Why are you so angry?
I’m not. Didn’t the “haha” give it away that I thought it was funny that some dope would try to compare shooting a “Color Run” to the biggest bicycle race in Italy?
Why are you so stupid?
Why are you so angry and defensive?
Why are you so stupid and annoying?
You’re obnoxious too. Does it make you feel particularly good to troll photography blogs?
Why are you so concerned about it? You’re stupid, annoying, and a fucking nosy twat.
Does t make you feel good to be the “white knight” of photography blogs you moron?
Not being a white knight at all. Just making the observation that your epithets only describe yourself. I’ll stop baiting you now since you’re obviously in a very dark and vulnerable place in your life and you can’t help but lash out with the slightest provocation.
Good luck.
Holy jebus creeping shit. I’m in a “dark and vulnerable” place? What are you some sorta wannabe interweb psychoanalyst? I like fucking with people because it makes me laugh when pussies like you get all riled up.
And I always hated everyone with the name Toby. I wish I could meet you so I could bitch-slap you.
:)
<3