Kangaroos hop onto Tour Down Under course, knock down riders including Jay Vine

People reports cyclists at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia, were knocked off their bikes when two kangaroos hopped onto the course during the race's final stage on Jan. 25. According to News.com.au and The Associated Press, the animals jumped onto the road about 45 miles into the 105-mile stage, striking winner Jay Vine and several other riders; Menno Huising, Lucas Stevenson, Mikkel Bjerg, Juan Molano and Alberto Dainese were among those forced to quit.

Video showed the kangaroos bouncing into the peloton and bumping riders, and a live broadcast captured commentator Phil Liggett saying, "Oh, it's a kangaroo! Never seen that before!" while Matthew Keenan called wildlife "one of the hazards of racing in Australia in these regions." 7News reported that none of the injuries were serious, but said one kangaroo was injured and had to be euthanized, and AP noted the animal was injured.

Vine, an Australian who won the race for the second time in three years, said the animals "wait and they hide in the bushes until you can't stop and they jump out in front of you. Point proven today." He said two blasted through the peloton while they were doing "probably 50 kph [30 mph]," and that he hit one kangaroo's backside.

Key Topics

Sports, Tour Down Under, Jay Vine, Adelaide, Menno Huising, Alberto Dainese