Team Sky has branded the actions of one of its drivers “unacceptable” and has issued an apology after the cycling teams’ support bus overtook a rider in a “crazy” manoeuvre that nearly ended in a collision.
Cyclist Andy Rolfe posted a video on Twitter on Thursday showing him being passed by the team bus in the face of oncoming traffic and as he approached a blind corner.
The situation led to Rolfe being left with almost no room to cycle as the bus barely had enough time or space to complete its pass.
The cyclist can be heard cursing at the bus as it disappears from view and as another Team Sky support vehicles passes by.
Rolfe says: “Idiot,” before continuing to express his bewilderment more flagrantly: “Fucking idiot... fucking prick... fucking idiot.”
It is not known exactly where or when the incident took place, but Rolf posted the tweet from Rhosllannerchrugog in Wales where Team Sky were yesterday competing in the fourth stage of the Tour of Britain.
A spokesperson for Team Sky told the Huffington Post UK that the driver’s behaviour in the video was “unacceptable and we are sorry”.
The driver, the spokesperson said, had been spoken to and “we’ll be discussing this with him again in more detail”.
The spokesperson added: “We will also be speaking to staff and reminding them of their responsibilities. Encouraging people to get out and on their bikes is a huge part of what we stand for as a team.
“We are a team of cyclists and we all know how important it is for us as a team to set an example when it comes to ensuring cyclists are able to use the roads safely.
Rolfe has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.
Commenters have criticised Sky for not setting a better example to other motorists and pointed out that a cycling teams’ sponsor should know the dangers cyclists face on the roads all to well.