Climate protester triggers crash in finale of Ronde van Brugge
A dramatic incident disrupted the closing phase of the Ronde van Brugge on Wednesday, after a well known climate activist ran onto the course and caused a crash involving multiple riders.
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The race had already been shaped by crosswinds and a nervous peloton, with splits and earlier incidents adding tension ahead of the finale. That tension escalated on the Brieversweg cobbled section, where the situation suddenly turned chaotic.
A man ran onto the course just as the peloton approached the narrow stretch of pavé, forcing riders behind to react abruptly. In the confusion, several went down in the rear of the bunch, with a race motorbike also moving in to intervene and remove the intruder, further complicating the moment.
The individual was later identified as Wouter Mouton, a repeat offender known for interrupting sporting events in Belgium. He previously entered the finishing straight of the Tour of Flanders in 2022 in a similar protest action.
Officials and police responded quickly, with the activist detained shortly after the incident. Commentary during the broadcast immediately noted the familiarity of the situation.
The full extent of injuries among the affected riders has yet to be confirmed, but the incident added an unexpected and controversial element to an already unpredictable race finale.
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