The prosecution demanded a four-month suspended prison sentence for the 31-year-old, as reported by the newspaper "Le Parisien". A verdict will be announced on 9 December. The woman had held a large cardboard sign with greetings to grandad and grandma in front of the television cameras on the route in Brittany. Time trial world champion Tony Martin crashed into the sign at high speed, causing around 50 other riders to fall.
The woman initially fled the scene, but turned herself in days later. According to the court, she is accused of negligent bodily harm and endangering the lives of others. During the court hearing, it was said that the accused had realised the danger of her actions and apologised. The French woman had chosen the inscription "Allez Opi - Omi" because of her German-born grandmother. She was sure that her grandparents would be watching the tour on television.
The Tour de France ultimately refrained from taking legal action against the woman. However, the International Professional Cyclists' Association (CPA) maintained its decision to take legal action. According to a CPA statement, the aim was to promote greater respect for the cyclists who had trained for months for the Tour and some of whom were unable to continue riding afterwards.
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