Giant duel spoiled
That’s why Tour bikes slowed down Pogacar
07/16/2023, 08:08 am
Tour de France riders don’t just have to think about their competition and the road surface: as superstar Pogacar’s motorcycle blockade shows, completely different obstacles can also arise. An ex-pro explains why this can happen more often now than in previous races.
Tadej Pogacar’s team boss downplayed the two-motorcycle braking maneuver against his star. “This is the Tour, so many people everywhere. The bike shouldn’t have been there, but the photographers just wanted to do their job,” said UAE boss Mauro Gianetti. The 59-year-old does not think of a complaint. The tour organization ASO took action for this. The incident: Pogacar attacked defending champion Jonas Vingegaard about 500 meters before the pass of the Col de Joux Plane, only a few meters later had to brake on the steep climb. A photographer’s and a TV’s motorcycle drove side by side, blocking the road.
Pogacar admitted at the finish in Morzine that he lacked the strength to sprint for the bonus seconds at the summit. So Vingegaard got three seconds more than the overall second. The punishment: the ASO acted the night before. The two motorcyclists, the cameraman and the photographer are not allowed to take part in the 15th stage on Sunday to Saint-Gervais on Mont Blanc. In addition, both crews were fined 500 Swiss francs (around 515 euros). According to the regulations, motorcyclists in particular are required to always keep a sufficient distance from the drivers.
It is still agreed that the bonus seconds will not play a role in the end. “I don’t think the tour will be won in three seconds in Paris,” said Rolf Aldag, head of sports at the German team Bora-hansgrohe. There used to be such disruptions occasionally, but today the drivers are much faster. “They accelerate, it’s like a sprint final. By the time the motorcyclist turns on the gas, the racing driver is already with him in the trunk.”
Regardless of the incident, Bora professional Nils Politt was bothered by the fact that the tour was getting closer and closer. “It’s extremely partial,” said the German time trial champion. “Somehow you should limit that”, the drivers should have free travel. However, there was enough space at the end of the Joux Plane, the fans were held back by police officers and a rope.