Truck destroys inflatable finish line during Tour Down Under race

The moment of impact was captured live by a news broadcaster

The opening stage of the women’s Tour Down Under took an unexpected twist on Friday when the finish line was destroyed by a truck driving underneath it, with video footage showing the moment that the inflatable was dragged down a main road during the race.

A truck carrying large hay bales managed to plough into the finish line on the main street of Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills, dragging is some distance down the road before coming to a halt once the driver realised what had happened.

The footage shows a team passing beneath the finish line while a reporter rehearses a video clip, only for the wind to cause her to cut off the broadcast. Spotting the truck approaching close to where she is standing, the reporter covers her ears as it passes, before noticing that the finish line had been swept away – much to her surprise.

Reporter Sarah Hancock covers her ears as the truck heads towards the finish line (ABC Australia)

The truck plows into the finish line (ABC Australia)

Two spectators had to take evasive action to avoid being caught up in the incident (ABC Australia)

The finish line was dragged down the street with the driver unaware at what had happened (ABC Australia)

Two spectators sitting at the base of the finish line had to dodge out of the way instantly, but both appeared to escape unhurt.

Police confirmed that they were not required to assist with the incident, and the finish line was put back in place in time for the stage winner, Annette Edmondson, to cross ahead of the rest of the field.

Hancock reacts in shock as the finish line is decimated (ABC Australia)


 The truck eventually came to a stop at the end of the road 
 (ABC Australia)

More than 100 female cyclists took part in the first of the four-stage event, with the men’s race due to get underway next week.