During the final stage of the Tour Down Under on January 21, 2024, two kangaroos caused significant disruption by leaping onto the race course in the Adelaide Hills. The unexpected appearance of the animals resulted in collisions with several riders, leading to injuries and withdrawals from the competition.
Footage captured from the event shows a kangaroo unexpectedly entering the 170-kilometer race course with approximately 100 kilometers remaining. The incident began when the first kangaroo collided with the race leader, prompting chaos as a second kangaroo joined in moments later. Riders described the scene as surreal, with some stating that the kangaroos “threw themselves in front of the peloton.”
Live commentators were visibly shocked, with one exclaiming: “Oh, it’s a kangaroo! Never seen that before.” Another commentator noted, “Unfortunately, some hazards you just can’t plan for. Some wildlife you can’t tell to get out of the way.” This stage of the race was particularly challenging, featuring steep climbs and temperatures exceeding 100°F (approximately 38°C).
Despite the disarray, the race continued, though several cyclists were forced to withdraw due to injuries sustained during the incidents. Tragically, one of the kangaroos had to be euthanized due to its injuries, while the other escaped unharmed.
Stuart O’Grady, the race director, described the stage as “one of the best” he had witnessed, but acknowledged that the crash overshadowed the competition. Australian cyclist Jay Vine, who was among those caught in the chaos, avoided serious injury and managed to retain his lead to secure a second title at the Tour Down Under.
In an interview with Channel 7, Vine recounted, “Everyone asks me what’s the most dangerous thing in Australia, and I always tell them it’s kangaroos. Because they wait and they hide in the bushes until you can’t stop and they jump out in front of you.” He elaborated on the incident, stating, “One of them stopped, went left, right, left, right, left, right, and I ended up hitting its backside as it was flailing around on the ground.”
Vine quickly remounted his bike and, following a change, rejoined the race, ultimately finishing safely in the main group behind British cyclist Matthew Brennan, who claimed victory in a sprint to the finish line after a demanding climbing stage.
Following the unusual incident, footage circulated widely on social media, with many commenting that it “cannot get any more Aussie than that.” Others have called for a prohibition on bicycle racing in areas inhabited by wildlife to prevent further incidents and protect animal life.
The unexpected kangaroo encounter highlights the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions in competitive sporting events, leaving both participants and spectators stunned by the bizarre turn of events.
