Nearly 2 dozen cyclists collide in Montgomery County bike race

BARNESVILLE. Md. - Nearly two dozen bikers had a close call during a race in rural Montgomery County on Saturday.

The cyclists were taking part in the Giro di Coppi bike race in Barnesville, Maryland.

"We did evaluate about 20 patients. A number of them were not injured, fortunately. We did transport six including one trauma but again none of the injuries were life-threatening," said Pete Piringer with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

According to officials, it appears that there were a series of crashes on the course -- some in the same spot during the day-long race.

Firefighters went out for a report of cyclists down at 2 p.m. Saturday. There were five or six people involved, but investigators got called again about an hour later for a much bigger incident.

It appears according to witnesses, uneven pavement caused a chain reaction crash in both instances.