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Not much happened midway through Thursday\u2019s sleepy sprint stage 6 at the Giro d\u2019Italia \u2014 until stupid roadside fans decided the peloton needed some help.<\/p>\n
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Helicopter images caught a group of rowdy spectators edging dangerously close to the speeding bunch as riders rolled through a traffic circle.<\/p>\n
Two fans stepped into the roadway waving their arms, apparently trying to high-five riders in the middle of the race.<\/p>\n
One spectator even reached directly into the pack and appeared to touch a rider.<\/p>\n
Several riders immediately gestured angrily for the fans to move back.<\/p>\n
No crashes were reported, and race organizers did not immediately indicate whether anyone had been identified or removed from the roadside.<\/p>\n
The incident quickly drew a reaction from Giro organizers, who blasted the behavior across official social media channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cRespect the riders. Respect the race. Respect the #GirodItalia,\u201d organizers posted.<\/p>\n
\u201cFans, Tifosi. We love you on the roadside. We love your enthusiasm, we love that you cheer on the riders, we love that you dress like flamingos.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there\u2019s a line not to cross. Don\u2019t be like this guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cycling thrives on fan access unmatched in almost any major sport, but Thursday\u2019s incident showed how things can go wrong.<\/p>\n
Riders race within arm\u2019s reach of spectators, and most fans know the unwritten rules of the sport and give the cyclists the room they need.<\/p>\n
That closeness is what gives cycling and races like the Giro their unique atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Though nothing happened Thursday, it\u2019s fans doing stupid things like this, a moment of recklessness, that can turn catastrophic in professional cycling.<\/p>\n