Tour de France 2024: Jan Hirt smashes teeth moments before race ...
‘We will go all in’ - Evenepoel sets sights on stage wins at 2024 Tour de France
Jan Hirt (Soudal Quick-Step) was left with some broken teeth and a busted lip after being knocked off his bike by a spectator's bag - all before Stage 1 of the 2024 Tour de France had even begun.
The Czech was riding between sign-in and the team bus when he was unceremoniously upended by a fan who had hopped a fence, according to information passed to Eurosport commentator Rob Hatch.
"There [are] 100 rules for the team but one with backpack made crashing Jan Hirt between the signings and the bus," Soudal Quick-Step supremo Patrick Lefevere fumed on social media.
Hirt is a key cog in the Soudal Quick-Step team looking to guide leader Remco Evenepoel through the yellow jersey battle.
Hirt finished eighth at the Giro d'Italia in May, albeit over 18 minutes behind race winner Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).
Hirt has one Grand Tour stage win to his name from the 2022 Giro d'Italia.
Saturday's Stage 1 of the Tour runs from Florence to Rimini.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Tour de France this summer, with live coverage running June 29 to July 21.
