(In second paragraph corrects Alaphilippe’s group)
CARCASSONNE, France, July 20 (Reuters) – Julian Alaphilippe endured a chaotic, emotional stage 15 of the Tour de France on Sunday, crashing early, soldiering on with a dislocated shoulder, after which mistakenly celebrating what he thought was a stage win – earlier than discovering he had been crushed by two riders.
The Tudor Professional rider hit the deck within the opening kilometres, struggling ache and a shoulder harm that solid doubt over whether or not he would even end the day.
“He had a crash initially of the race,” stated group sports activities director Raphael Meyer. “He had ache and a dislocated shoulder. He was seen by the physician and he nonetheless has some ache. He will do x-rays.”
However the Frenchman fought on, ultimately crossing the road — arms raised in triumph, believing he had pulled off an emotional comeback victory.
Unbeknownst to Alaphilippe, Tim Wellens (UAE Workforce Emirates-XRG) had already powered away from the breakaway group earlier and claimed a convincing solo win.
Victor Campenaerts had additionally slipped away and crossed the road 9 seconds forward of Alaphilippe.
“He thought he was first on the road — however the radio didn’t work,” Meyer stated.
For Wellens, the victory marked a brutal present of energy, and one other chapter within the dominance of chief Tadej Pogacar’s UAE Workforce Emirates, as they proceed to exert near-total management over the race.
For Alaphilippe, it was a bitter-sweet end – a gritty trip, a courageous comeback, and a win that wasn’t.
It was not the primary time such misfortune occurred to Alaphilippe.
In 2020, he raised his arms in celebration earlier than the end on the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Monument traditional, solely to see Slovenian Primoz Roglic successfully beating him to the road.
The Frenchman was then disqualified for deviating from his dash line. (Reporting by Julien Pretot)
