2023-07-15 19:57:04
The Tour de France jury has decided. The two motorcycles which blocked the passage to the attack of Pogacar in the last meters of the climb of the Col de Joux Plane, on the 14th stage of the Tour de France, are disqualified for a day. The two motorcycles, one carrying the FranceTelevisions camera, the other a photographer from the daily l’Equipe responsible for taking photos for all the written press, will therefore not be the 15th stage, Sunday, between Les Gets and Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc. Pilots and passengers are also fined 500 Swiss francs.
The incident therefore happened at the top of the Col de Joux Plane, the last ascent of the day. And it could have direct consequences on the general classification. Because not only did the motorcycles, hampered by the crowds on the side of the roads and unable to take enough distance with the riders, prevent Pogacar from attacking, but they cut off his legs just before the sprint to pass at the head of the pass, where bonuses were offered. His rival Vingegaard thus produced a better sprint to regain 3 seconds from Pogacar and a little margin in the general classification. It may not seem like much, especially since Pogacar finally won 2 on the finish line, but in such a tight Tour de France, this can have a real impact.
“I think it distorted this final race, it changed everything, the former runner and current consultant for France Televisions Laurent Jalabert got carried away live on the air. Perhaps Pogacar managed to unhook Vingegaard from the wheel once again and launched himself down the descent. It was not the same race. We will never know! »
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