The relentless slope of the Planche des Belles Filles. With its 24% increase in the final hectometres, the finale of the seventh stage of the Tour de France this Friday turned into torture for most of the peloton, unaccustomed to facing such percentages.
Louis Meintjes (Intermarché-Wanty-Materials Group) is not one of those who fell into this extraordinary difficulty, on the contrary, but for 16.e place, 51 seconds behind the untouchable Thaddeus Pogacar, the South African had to throw his last forces into battle.
Unable to continue on his bike to the finish line, the rider, who was sixth overall in the Tour du Dauphiné Libéré, a testament to his ability to pass the transitions, had to dismount and tackle the final meters by running alongside his bike. .
In 2019, Stéphane Bury, the finish line manager of the Grande Boucle, had to help some cyclists not lose their balance after crossing the finish line; Christian’s car (Prudhomme, Tour Director) and two riders behind it. I told myself: I will push him. If he stops, because he is dead, it will stop my cars, words, even if there are not many people who climb La Planche, so I pushed. You have to find the right compromise: first of all, don’t touch the steering wheel, push your butt. »
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.