Motorcycle mishap leads to massive crash at bicycle race
A stalled pace bike led to a massive pileup at the start of a short bicycle race in Brooklyn over the weekend.
The crash occurred as male riders for the elite division in the the ninth annual Red Hook Criterium, a 5K race, took off from the starting gate.
Cycling reporter Daniel McMahon tweeted the motorbike driver pacing the riders had issues with the clutch, causing him to stall at the start of the race. McMahon said race officials reported there were seven injured riders in total, the worst injury being a broken arm.
The race apparently featured multiple crashes and false starts.
Chelsea, Bronx born & raised bike messenger, last lap women's @Redhookcrit. She's fine today. You tougher than her? pic.twitter.com/DmF4knQVFi
— Aaron Stewart-Ahn (@somebadideas) May 1, 2016
So we had a second restart -- 3 starts so far.
— Daniel McMahon (@cyclingreporter) May 1, 2016
Race organizers said the event eventually went off fine and that rider Ainara Elbusto won the women's race, while Colin Strickland won the men's division.