As he crested the first of those , the Bemelerberg , he was struck a heavy blow on his helmet by a fan waving what appeared to by an inflatable clapping stick .
Afterwards Cavendish insisted it was wooden .
As he crested the first of those , the Bemelerberg , he was struck a heavy blow on his helmet by a fan waving what appeared to by an inflatable clapping stick , although afterwards Cavendish insisted it was wooden .