Watch | Spectator causes massive carnage at Tour de France

The multiple-stage bicycle race Tour de France saw its first crash when a fan brandishing a sign brought down German rider Tony Martin. The massive fall involved around half of the peloton.

Some 45km away from the finish line of stage 1 of the Tour between Brest and Landerneau, the fan fell Martin, who was riding near the head of the pack and close to the excited roadside fans.

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The incident stands as a stark warning to roadside fans trying to get themselves on television on Saturday.

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The Jumbo rider fell, bringing down a huge number of riders behind him. The crash held up the race for five minutes while bikes and bodies were untangled.

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The race leader slowed down to allow the stragglers to catch up and despite the spectacular tangle only one rider has so far had to pull out due to the accident.