Originally Posted by
Moe Zhoost
This makes more sense than her intentionally moving over into the vehicle lane; however I wouldn't think that a patch of sand would affect a rider that much on this route. Deep sand, yes. Sand on a tight curve, probably. Going straight over it, doubtful. Perhaps she saw it and and initiated an avoidance maneuver that went awry. Shouldn't the race organizers do a pre-race ride of the route to look for such issues?
I've hit a patch of sand on the pavement at high speed and had the bike fly right out from underneath me. A light layer of fine dry sand on dry pavement is a hell of a lubricant if you have any lateral motion.