Kangaroos Crash the Peloton: A Hair-Rraising Detour in the Tour Down Under
26 January 2026
Unexpected Interference on the Adelaide Hills
The final stage of the Tour Down Under in Australia produced an unexpected scene on Sunday, when two kangaroos strayed onto the course and caused several riders to tumble on the hills around Adelaide.
The incident occurred about 95 kilometers from the finish of the fifth and final stage, as the kangaroos suddenly breached the peloton, forcing several riders to dodge a dramatic crash and prompting discussions that it ranked among the sport's riskiest hazards in Australia.
A History of Animal Encounters in Cycling
Nor was this the first such incident in cycling; the Tour de France has seen dogs on the course, while llamas disrupted riders at the 2018 Tour of Britain.
Italy and France have also seen sheep, goats and cattle crossing the routes, underscoring the unpredictable challenges athletes face on the road.
Guess the kangaroos were practicing their sprint finishes.
Meanwhile, the peloton just filed a wildlife infringement report.
