Tour de France riders were yesterday endangered once again by media vehicles, as one car ignored the race's official radio channel which advised all cars give priority to team cars.

Riders Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha had been part of a five-man breakaway that was vying for victory in the 208km ninth stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour in the Massif Central.

But they were hit by an overtaking television car 35km from home. 

Hoogerland was thrown into the into air and crashed into a fence while Flecha smashed into the ground at full speed.

Miraculously neither rider was seriously injured.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme was livid with the media car for failing to take heed of the radio directive, and the car has been banned from the remainder of the race.