Rui Costa (Caisse d'Epargne) and Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) were involved in a fight following stage six of the Tour de France today, which could have led to the ejection of both riders from the race, but they were fortunate to get away with a fine of 400 Swiss Francs each for 'insults, threats and incorrect behaviour'. It's uncommon to see cyclists go to literal blows at a bike race, especially considering neither rider would have taken interest in the day's sprint finish.
The incident happened while Costa was still on his bike, with a healthy dose of his spare front wheel to the Spaniard's face being the 23 year old's only option for defense. Barredo chimed in with a couple of right hooks that were immediately answered with a left elbow from the Caisse d'Epargne rider. Both riders were then tangled in the Portuguese rider's bike and fell to the ground.
Crowds separated the riders to stop the incident from escalating, with Barredo looking to get the worst of it and suffering a bloodied nose. The ballet on cycling shoes lasted only a moment, and without the reason for the conflict known, one would have to wonder if they happen to be football fans and the World Cup is on their minds. Spain is set to take on The Netherlands in the final this Sunday.
Costa had shown good form in the recent Tour de Suisse with victory on stage eight ahead of Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha). He had also won the Best Young Rider prize at the Four Days of Dunkirk and took the Trofeo Deià stage early this season at the Mallorca Challenge. For Barredo, his last win was at the Clásica de San Sebastián last season, with a third in stage eight at the Tour of California and fourth in his national championship road race his best results of the season.
Video of fight following Tour de France stage six