INEOS fined 5,200€ and given a yellow card for running over a spectator in the Tour

The 2025 Tour de France experienced one of its most eventful days this Saturday when a support vehicle from the Ineos Grenadiers team collided with a spectator during stage 14, while climbing the Col du Peyresourde. The car, driven by sports director Oliver Cookson, hit a fan who was too close to the road while recording with his mobile phone.

 "Many fans do not respect safety limits": An INEOS car collides with a spectator

The incident occurred 32.6 kilometers from the finish line, in a crowded section of the public just before reaching the last third of the climb. Television images show how the vehicle from the British team, following a breakaway where Thymen Arensman and Carlos Rodríguez were, ran over the fan, who ended up hitting the car's hood before falling to the ground.

A car from the INEOS team runs over a spectator during the climb to the Col de Peyresourde#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/4xraUQqUuL

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 19, 2025

The car stopped immediately, but no medical update on the spectator's condition has been made public.

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The UCI's panel of commissioners acted swiftly and fined Cookson with a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs (about 5,200 euros) and a yellow card for "incorrect behavior that endangered spectators," citing article 2.12.007-8.2.2 of the regulations.

In an official statement, Ineos Grenadiers deeply regretted the incident:

“Our thoughts and most sincere apologies are with the fan who was accidentally hit by one of our cars during today's stage. Like all teams, we take the safety of everyone who makes this sport special very seriously, including passionate fans”.

Meanwhile, Zak Dempster, another team director traveling with Cookson, explained to Velo that at the time of the accident “they were trying to overtake the group” and that “the motorcycles were coming from the left and many fans do not respect safety limits”.

Dempster also added: “It was an accident. I hope the person is okay. It's another reminder of how dangerous the mountains can be”.

The collision occurred in a section still without barriers, a few hundred meters before the cordoned-off area that began 300 meters from the summit. This detail has reignited the debate about safety in the mountain stages of the Tour, where the proximity of the public and the lack of control measures increase the risk of serious accidents.

“Are they going to fence off all the summits?”, Dempster wondered after the incident, questioning the feasibility of ensuring a safe bubble in the narrowest and most popular passes.

The day ended with a victory for Ineos Grenadiers: Thymen Arensman won in Luchon-Superbagnères, achieving the first stage win for the British team in the Tour since 2023. However, the car incident overshadowed the celebration.