Elderly woman on mobility scooter causes pileup in German junior bike race

A prestigious junior cycling race in Germany turned chaotic on Sunday when an elderly woman on a mobility scooter drove into the course. More than 100 riders from across Europe were competing in the Saarland Trofeo Juniors, fighting for a podium place on a rural road, when the unexpected intrusion triggered a crash.

According to reports, the pensioner wanted a better view of the cyclists, misjudged the situation, and rode directly into the race lane. Video footage shows her stepping out from among spectators just as the peloton passed. One rider managed to swerve away at the last moment, but the cyclist behind him could not avoid the scooter.

The rider who hit it was identified as Dutch cyclist Pol Freissman, who was thrown over his handlebars in a violent somersault. At least four other riders then went down as well, sliding across the road. Freissman later wrote on social media, “I am left speechless about how something like this could happen. So much hard work and again this obstacle.” He said it was his second major crash of the season.

Despite the dramatic images, none of the riders involved suffered serious injuries. Cycling commentator Lus Brolin, who circulated the viral video, urged spectators to keep a safe distance, saying that “even a small step onto the road can lead to serious consequences at these speeds” and that junior races are dangerous enough without spectators making them more so. The race continued and was won by Norway’s Sindre Aurlund-Lunseth, followed by Dutch rider Spliinter van-Hof and Germany’s Elias Wendel.