The American took the spectator’s bike after a suffering a mechanical towards the end of stage three of the Tour Down Under, and escaped disqualification from the organisers American sprinter Tyler Farrar finds some shade. Credit: Watson A fan saved Tyler Farrar’s Tour Down Under by offering not only his bike, but his shoes, so that the American could continue after a nasty crash in the third stage to Campbelltown , Australia.

The helping hand is against the rules, as Richie Porte knows from his Giro d’Italia experience , but the governing body made an exception in this case.

The Dimension Data cyclist, who is expected to lead out Mark Cavendish later in the year, finished the stage third from last, 13-07 minutes behind stage winner Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).

“Without his help, I would’ve travelled all the way to Australia for only two and a half days of racing,” Farrar told Het Nieuwsblad .

“This shows how friendly the people are here in Australia. We will give him a full kit to say thanks, and if we don’t have a spare kit, I’ll give him one of mine.”

Watch highlights from stage three of the Tour Down Under Farrar fell with others before […]

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