The Tour de France has withdrawn its complaint against a spectator who caused a spectacular pileup on the first day of the race, Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme said on Thursday.

The woman was arrested on Wednesday at the police station in Landerneau in Brittany, where the first stage ended on Saturday, and remains in custody.

“The incident has been blown out of all proportion,” Prudhomme said.

“So we want to calm minds after the message has been spread that fans must be careful on the roadside,” he added.

Prudhomme tried to remind spectators of safety rules during the race.

“If you come to the Tour, please hold children and pets and do not cross the road carelessly. And above all, please respect the riders – they’re the ones worthy of live TV,” the race director said.

Dozens of fallen riders

The incident occurred between Brest and Landerneau when a woman looking away from the riders towards the cameras held a cardboard sign reading “Allez Opi-Omi”, which means “Go, grandpa and granny”.

German cyclist Tony Martin, who was on the edge of a large group of riders, collided with the sign and fell, dragging dozens of other riders behind him.

The collision delayed the stage by five minutes, during which the bikes and frames were removed.

Amid the chaos, a woman was seen turning around in fright before disappearing into the roadside crowd with a sign under her arm.

After Saturday’s incident, Tour deputy director Pierre Yves Tuo said organisers plan to bring the culprit to justice.