Chopper blasts barriers into riders after Vuelta's sixth stage

A helicopter's downdraft blasted unfastened barriers into several riders at the finish of yesterday's sixth stage.

Julien Duval during Stage 6 of 2018 La Vuelta a Espana just before requiring stitches for a gash he received when taken out by a barrier after the stage (Getty) Source: Velo

The incident followed a crash on the same stage many pundits and team personnel believe happened because race organisers failed to clearly mark the offending street furniture.

AG2R Mondiale's Julien Duval needed two stitches for the wound he suffered when struck by an unfastened barrier. 

SBS' feed from the host broadcaster did not capture vision of the incident but fan footage went viral.

Duval started and finished Stage 7.  

The Vuelta's helicopters also spooked non-humans, this donkey clearly having no fun during Stage 7.

Source: Supplied