US Cyclist Tyler Farrar Forced to Borrow Spectator's Bike on Tour Down Under

Tyler Farrar was one of several cyclists who fell during a nasty crash in stage three of the Tour Down Under near Adelaide. 

The 31-year-old Team Dimension Data racer was, according to the Guardian, left bloodied and bruised when he came off his bike at speeds of more than 40mph.

After receiving medical attention, Farrar continued but soon found that his bike was no longer fit to ride. With the support vehicle out of sight, the American rider's race looked to be over. However, a good-hearted bystander named Anthony Tooman offered up his own gear.

From the Adelaide Advertiser (via the Guardian):

"

“We could see him on the side of the road, and asked: ‘Do you need a wheel?’ He said: ‘No, the wheel is not going to cut it.’

“Then it went to: ‘Well, what pedals are you running?’ He was on Speedplay and I was on Shimano, and as soon as that was decided it was just: ‘Well, you might as well just take everything.’

“Then the next question was: ‘What size shoe are you?’ He was a size 43 and I’m a 44, so we swapped shoes, he jumped on my bike, we gave him some water and … see you later.”

"

Normal race rules ban outside assistance, but race organisers took it to be an exceptional circumstance, allowing Farrar to complete stage three and line up for stage four. 

[The Guardian]