Police launch hunt for fan who caused crash at Tour de France

Spectator leans into path of speeding cyclists while holding up cardboard sign, causing accident that left many injured

By Alaattin Dogru

PARIS (AA) - Police in France are searching for a female spectator who caused a huge crash during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race on Saturday.

The event’s organizers are also planning to file a lawsuit against the unidentified woman, who leaned into the path of a speeding group of cyclists while holding up a cardboard sign, causing many of them to fall off their bicycles.

The spectator, who left the scene before the arrival of investigators, was holding a sign that said "Allez Opi-Omi!" a mixture of French and German which translates to "Come on Grandpa-Grandma!"

Meanwhile, Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel, who races for the Alpecin-Fenix team, won the second stage of the tour on Sunday.

Van der Poel won the 183.5-kilometer (114-mile) contest in four hours, 18 minutes and 30 seconds.

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