The first accident in this year's Tour de France occured before the race even began in Florence, Italy on Saturday when rider Jan Hirt was knocked off his bike by a fan's backpack.
The Soudal Quick-Step cyclist was riding from from the starting sheet signing to the start line when he crashed, resulting in three broken teeth and a nightmare start to this year's competition.
"There are 100 rules [to be respected] for the team but someone with a backpack knocked Jan Hirt down on his way from the signatures to the bus. Three broken teeth," team boss Patrick Lefevere wrote on X.
The 33-year-old from Czechia caught his handlebars on the bag of a fan and fell onto his face after fans found their way into the team area.
Soudal Quick-Step teammate Yves Lampaert saw the incident happen, telling Belgian TV news station VTM NIEUWS: "It's complete chaos."
"The organization has no control over it at all. People are running everywhere. Jan kept stuttering and went over the top. We riders get fines galore for small things, the organization should take a look in the mirror. It's unacceptable."
A video published on the Cyclingnews Instagram page showed another Soudal Quick-Step rider colliding with a person while trying to cycle between the bus and the sign-on podium.
Hirt is a key part of the Soudal Quick-Step team aiming to help Remco Evenepoel to secure the yellow jersey.