From the first day, the Tour de France is leaving episodes of struggle without concessions. In just three stages, multiple falls, abandonments and the first open disputes between corridors have been recorded.
Falls and abandonments in the early stages
One of the first voltage shocks occurred between Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) y Biniam Giram (InterMarché-Wanty). In an intermediate sprint, the Italian recriminated an unclear maneuver for the cameras. After the stage, Biniam apologized: “It was nothing special, he opened and I got nervous. We talked and set our hands, ”he explained to Tuttobiciweb.
The two runners showed gestures of anger and discomfort before the cameras.
Another black episode had as protagonists Bryan Coquard y jasper Philipsen. The Cofidis corridor made a reckless maneuver, collided with an intermartché rival and dragged the Belgian to the ground. Jasper was forced to leave with a rib and a broken clavicle. The Frenchman, who apologized, received a sanction with a yellow card, a fine of 500 francs and the penalty of 13 points in the green jersey classification.
Jasper Philipsen has been forced to leave the race after suffering a tough fall during the third day, played on Monday.
“The burns and wounds were serious; from the beginning it was seen that he could not follow,” said Philip Roodooft, director of Alpecin-Deceuninck, visibly affected. Jonas Rickaert, Philipsen's partner, was more forceful and criticized those who, in his opinion, should not have played that intermediate sprint: “This arrival was not worthy of the tour. If you can't see 100 meters ahead, it's simply dangerous. ”
He Director of the UAE, Joxean Matxin, also raised his voice about the danger of the route: “It is dwarf where we pass,” declared Eurosport. One of those affected by those narrow sections was Filippo Ganna, who had to leave after going through those paths and facing strong winds in the Lille area.
The inaugural day left another unusual sprint between Vercher (Total Energies) and Thomas (Cofidis). The latter lost control of his bicycle and ended up falling and demolishing his compatriot. Before, the Vercher himself had made a risky maneuver to gain space. All this, When there was hardly a point at stake in a mountain port.
Lewis Askey, from Groupama summarized how the squad lives it: “The speed is so high, everyone goes to the limit. People who would normally stop, do not, because it is the tour.” Girmay himself expressed himself after the 3rd stage: “Today we walked for hell, Every time I listened to crashes my pulse rose. I am only grateful to end safe. “
