Video: Visma | Lease a Bike staff targeted by intoxicated fans during Coppi e Bartali stage

According to a statement released by the team, the episode took place with six kilometres remaining to the finish in Valdobbiadene, in the area of Saccol, when one of the individuals climbed onto the vehicle and attempted to remove a bike from the roof rack, while the other behaved aggressively towards staff inside the car. 

The situation prompted an immediate response from team personnel, who reported the incident to both the police and race organisers.

Team manager Richard Plugge described the episode as serious, citing concerns over the safety of staff members involved.

“We take this incident very seriously, as it put the safety of our colleagues at risk,” Plugge said. “Our staff on site immediately went to the police and also reported the incident to the race organisation.”

No equipment was ultimately taken and the vehicle was not damaged, but the incident left those inside the car shaken.

“The colleagues in the car are okay, but understandably shaken,” Plugge added.

Another version of events emerged later on Saturday evening, telling a different story. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, witnesses who were roadside waiting for the riders claim the two individuals reacted violently after the Visma team car threw bottles out of the vehicle, with one reportedly hitting their car’s side mirror.