Danish rider Frederik Madsen crashes into the back of Team GB’s Harry Tanfield
Madsen was unaware Tanfield had dropped behind
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
  • A heat of the men's team pursuit track cycling at the Tokyo Olympics ended in chaos on Tuesday.
  • Denmark's Frederik Madsen smashed into the back of GB's Harry Tanfield, then screamed at him.
  • As Madsen walked away he could be heard yelling "f— them!" – seemingly in reference to the GB team.
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An Olympic track cycling race ended in dramatic fashion when Danish rider Frederik Madsen crashed into the back of Team GB's Harry Tanfield on the final lap, sparking a furious rant from the Dane, and a near disqualification for his team.

Denmark was leading comfortably in the heats of the men's team pursuit and looked certain to join Italy in the gold medal match when disaster struck.

The Danes were coasting towards victory when they came up to lap Tanfield, who had been dropped by his GB teammates.

The riders were so focused on their own race that lead rider Madsen, unaware of Tanfield's position on the track, crashed into the back of the Team GB cyclist, sending both riders tumbling to the ground.

Despite being at fault, the Danish cyclist was furious with Tanfield, yelling at the British rider while he lay on the floor after the crash. As he walked away, Madsen could be heard shouting "f— them!"

Frederik Madsen of Team Denmark shouts at Charlie Tanfield
Madsen had some choice words for Tanfield after the crash
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Team pursuit is judged by taking the time of the third and final rider, but as neither team achieved that thanks to the crash, there was confusion as to who would be progressing to the gold medal race.

There was speculation that Denmark would be disqualified for causing the crash, but it was later confirmed that it would be the Danish not Team GB making its way to the final.

Denmark will now face off against Italy in the final of the event on Wednesday.

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