India’s first foray into elite level cycling stumbled and tumbled on Tuesday at the pro-am Pune Grand Challenge Cycle Tour, billed as an international spectacle showcasing world-class sport.

No doubt it was a spectacle.

Shortly after starting Stage 1 of the five stage race, a massive crash involving around 70 riders unfolded in the middle of the pack. On narrow roads with no way to escape the mayhem racers quickly fell like dominoes, one on top of another.

With bikes and bodies strewn across the road, organizers immediately neutralized the race, allowing medics and mechanics time to mend what could be mended.

23 minutes later racing resumed, but without three riders who abandoned the race due to injures: Enzo Fuentes Caparoli of Team Pro Cycling Stats, Marti Riera Casanovas of Pro Cycling Stats, and Abdul Halil Mohd Izzat of the Malaysia National Team.

Chief Commissaire Edward Park issued a brief statement on the incident:

“There was a crash in the middle of the peloton. This is quite common in road cycling races with large pelotons and changing race dynamics in a high-stakes, high-speed environment. As per protocol, the race was neutralised for 23 minutes. Riders involved were immediately attended to with first aid by the medical staff in the convoy and were allowed to change their bikes.”

29 year-old New Zealander Luke Mudgway (LI NING STAR) not only won the stage, he went on to win Stage 2 on Wednesday and now leads the overall race by 4 seconds.

Photo Credit: Arul Horizon, Star Sports

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