Tour de France: Car crashing into cyclists draws laughs from ESPN’s Michael Smith

The 2011 Tour de France has been marred by nasty crashes (from top, L to R): Slovenia's Janez Brakjovic receiving medical assistance after he crashed in the Carhaix; Ukraine's Yaroslav Popovych on the road after he crashed in the same stage; Kazakh's Alexandre Vinokourov being carried into the ambulance after he fractured his thighbone on Sunday and Spain's Juan Antonio Flecha (L) and Dutchman Johnny Hoogerland (R) seen after a crash caused by a television vehicle. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Mayyyyyyybe.

But when you witness the carnage caused by a reckless French television vehicle — seriously, look at poor Johnny Hoogerland’s leg and try do anything but cringe — in real time and recognize that the wounded riders are athletes and not stunt doubles, giggling like a school girl is not the first impulse. (Warning: Image below is graphic in nature.)

Unless you’re ESPN television personality Michael Smith, that is.

Here’s what Smith tweeted Monday — a comment that did not sit well with the cycling community.

UPDATE (7/13/11 9:00 a.m.): Smith issued an apology late Tuesdsay night on his Twitter account. See it here.

In case you missed it, here’s the video of a car bumping into Spain’s Juan-Antonio Flecha, who crashed into Hoogerland and sent the Dutchman flying through a barbed wire fence.

No question that hurt — and here’s the evidence. On Monday, French police opened an investigation into the crash.

(STRINGER/FRANCE/REUTERS)

But Smith just couldn’t get enough of the video clip.

And then the tweets from the cyclists and bike enthusiasts of the world started rolling in...

Smith got on the defensive...well...sort of....

Now there’s a thread on a blog called Tour de France Lanterne Rouge asking for ESPN to suspend Smith.

That’s highly unlikely, however, the backlash should show Smith just how large the cycling community is in the United States. Maybe next time he’ll keep his giggling to himself.

UPDATE: (7/13/11 9:00 a.m.) - Smith issues the following apology via Twitter late Tuesday night.