During the final stage of the Tour Down Under on January 21, 2024, two kangaroos caused a significant disruption to the bike race, leading to crashes involving multiple riders. The incident unfolded in the Adelaide Hills, approximately 100 kilometers into the 170-kilometer course. Video footage captures the moment a kangaroo collided with the race leader, followed shortly by a second kangaroo that added to the chaos.
Riders described the encounter as surreal, with some stating that the kangaroos “threw themselves in front of the peloton.” Live commentators reacted with shock, with one exclaiming, “Oh, it’s a kangaroo! Never seen that before.” Another noted the unpredictable nature of wildlife, saying, “Unfortunately, some hazards you just can’t plan for. Some wildlife you can’t tell to get out of the way.”
The crash occurred during the Tour’s longest stage, which featured challenging climbs, eight laps around the Adelaide Hills, and temperatures soaring above 38°C (100°F). Despite the disruption, the race continued, though several riders withdrew due to injuries sustained in the incident. Tragically, one kangaroo had to be euthanized due to its injuries, while the other escaped unscathed.
Race director Stuart O’Grady acknowledged the remarkable nature of the race but admitted that the kangaroo incident overshadowed the day’s events. He described the stage as “one of the best” he had seen. Among those affected was Australian cycling star Jay Vine, who managed to avoid serious injury and maintained his lead to secure a second Tour Down Under title.
Vine shared his experience with Channel 7, stating, “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. Point proven today, two of them blasted through the peloton as we were doing probably 50 km/h.” He recounted that one kangaroo “stopped, went left, right, left, right, left, right, and I ended up hitting its backside as it was flaying around on the ground.”
Despite the chaos, Vine quickly remounted after a bike change and finished safely in the main group. British cyclist Matthew Brennan ultimately took the victory in a sprint to the finish line following the grueling climbing stage.
Footage of the unusual incident quickly gained traction on social media, with many commenting that it “cannot get any more Aussie than that.” Some users even called for a “ban on the dangerous bikes” to prevent future wildlife encounters.
As the day concluded, the blend of sporting excellence and unexpected wildlife interaction left a memorable mark on the Tour Down Under, showcasing both the thrill and unpredictability of competitive cycling in Australia.
