*Cyclists competing in the Tour Down Under in Australia faced an unusual and sudden hazard when kangaroos entered the race course, causing several riders to crash. The incident took place on Jan. 25 during the race’s final stage in Adelaide, roughly 45 miles into the 105-mile course, PEOPLE reports.
Jay Vine, who went on to win the race, was among those knocked off their bikes. Other riders affected included Menno Huising, Lucas Stevenson, Mikkel Bjerg, Juan Molano, and Alberto Dainese, with some forced to withdraw following the collisions with the two large kangaroos that appeared on the road.
Vine described the moment as chaotic, noting that the kangaroos seemed to hide in the bushes before suddenly jumping into the path of the cyclists. He also mentioned striking one of the animals’ backsides but was able to remount, change bikes twice, and continue with about 57 miles remaining in the stage.
“Everyone asks me what’s the most dangerous thing in Australia, and I always tell them it’s kangaroos,” said Vine. “They wait and they hide in the bushes until you can’t stop and they jump out in front of you. Point proven today.”
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Vine continued, “Two of them blasted through the peloton when we were doing probably 50 kph [30 mph], and one of them stopped and went left, right, left, right, left, right, and I ended up hitting its backside.”
While the crashes were dramatic, none of the riders were seriously injured. One of the kangaroos, however, sustained injuries that required it to be euthanized. Video from the race captured the animals hopping into the peloton, highlighting the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters in Australian events.
Despite the disruption, Vine finished the race as the winner, claiming his second Tour Down Under title in three years. The event also marked the opening race of the 2026 World Tour.
“It’s one of those things, bad luck,” Vine added. “Luckily, I’m okay and glad I’m able to hold onto the [winning] jersey.”
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