2023-08-12 22:08:10
Fourth in the cross-country event, Victor Koretzky had a lot on his plate when he crossed the finish line. Arrived 43 seconds behind the winner of the day, the Briton Tom Pidcock, and 9 seconds behind the bronze medalist, the Swiss Nino Schurter, the Frenchman gave the thumbs up then gave the arm of honor in front of the camera, as a sign of protest against the latest decisions of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
A few days before the race, the UCI wanted to allow riders from the world’s top 20 on the road to start from the fifth row, and not from the back of the grid. A decision that favored Tom Pidcock, very irregular mountain bikers and therefore condemned from the back of the peloton. Thanks to this new rule, the Briton started from the fifth row, and was able to win serenely.
A press release from the riders had already indicated their dissatisfaction. After the race, Victor Koretzky, at the microphone of France Télévisions, gave a layer. “I think I’m not far from victory. The 20 seconds that I lose at the start, I pay for them throughout the race, underlined the Frenchman, silver medalist on the short-track on Thursday. I really don’t understand the UCI’s decision, it’s really disgusting. If I start at the same line as Pidcock, I can fight for the win. I miss the effort I had to produce at the start of the race at the end. The UCI’s decision really skews the final result. »
Even if he admitted to being satisfied with his sensations and his performance, the Biterrois regretted all the more not to leave with a medal. “It’s my best result of the season so I take it, but there is still a part of frustration that remains,” he assured, bitter.
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