Cycling star avoids serious injury after being struck in face by fan's phone

30 January 2023 , 15:05

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Fabio Jakobsen was struck by a spectator's phone metres before the finishing line (Image: Eurosport)

Cycling star Fabio Jakobsen avoided serious injury and stayed on his bike despite being stuck in the face by a fan's phone with less than 50 metres remaining of a race in Argentina.

The European champion was competing in the final stage of the Vuelta a San Juan stage race on Sunday when the incident happened.

Jakobsen, who had already won a stage of the week-long race, was aiming to win on the final day in San Juan. As spectators leaned over the safety barriers Jakobsen was using every inch of the road in his bid to win his second race of the season.

With less than 50 metres until the finish, Jakobsen spotted a gap right against the barriers in a bid to pass Australian Sam Welsford. The Dutchman was struck by a spectator's phone which was being held over the safety barrier. Jakobsen's sun glasses were knocked off his face onto the floor along with the phone, but the Soudal - Quick Step rider remained on his bike suffering minor cuts.

Welsford was already in the lead when the incident happened and took victory with Jakobsen finishing second.

Cyclist left hanging from bridge after horror crash as stage is cancelled

Fabio Jakobsen suffered minor cuts after being struck by a phone during the final stage at the Vuelta a San Juan

“Someone reached out there with a phone," Jakobsen told Velo News after the finish. "This was partly my own fault, but there was room. I hadn’t seen the hand. I have a cut and it’s a bit thick, but this could have been much worse.”

Eurosport commentator and former professional cyclist Brian Smith called for extra safety measures to be enforced to stop a similar incident happening again.

"It was very dangerous and another call to for double barriers in a finishing straight like that," said Smith. "We've said this all along, that could have been really nasty with the phone and his glasses off.

"I don't think he was going to beat Welsford. We talk about the risk, any sprinter will take these risks. That was a little bit too close for comfort there."

Cycling fans agreed that extra safety measures were needed and @geromax67 tweeted: "Unacceptable! Enough of these incidents!" They were supported by @Domestique_ who enforced the call for barriers to force spectators further back adding: "Goes to show that safety on sprint finishes needs to be improved! People should not be able to have their arms so close to the riders when they are sprinting!"

Benjamin Goddard