Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) managed to hang on to the leader’s jersey at the Critérium du Dauphiné yesterday despite getting caught behind a crash and losing some time to some of the other favourites.
Coming towards the end of the stage, Cofidis rider Borut Bozic clipped a barrier before crashing. The collision happened just after the two kilometre to-go mark and caused a split in the peloton.
Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) went on to win the 176km stage from Tain-l’Hermitage to Belley ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx – Quick Step) and Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits).
Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Dan Martin (Etixx – Quick Step) were amongst those on the right side of the split as Contador and Richie Porte (BMC Racing) were caught behind, finishing 9″ down on the front group.
As the crash happened inside the 3km to-go mark, it was expected that they would be given the same time as the front group but that was not the case.
UCI rule 2.6.027 states: “In the case of a duly noted fall, puncture or mechanical incident in the last three kilometers of a road race stage, the rider or riders involved shall be credited with the time of the rider or riders in whose company they were riding at the moment of the accident.”’
The decision to not credit Contador with the same time as the front group did not sit well with the Spanish rider.
“It was a relatively calm stage until the finale, which was truly crazy,” explained Contador. “Initially, it seemed as if the group would cross the finish line together. However, right after the 2km mark there was a big pile-up which caused gaps in the peloton.”
“I was caught at the back and I lost nine seconds to some GC contenders. The truth is nine seconds don’t worry me, but what worries me more is the 3km rule. It has to be applied and we need clarity.”
“Unfortunately we lost some seconds today,” said Tinkoff Directeur Sportif Steven De Jongh. “The crash caused some real uncertainty in the group. We were expecting the 3km rule to be applied, but we ended up losing time.”
“Alberto and some of the other GC riders tried to fight back to the front, but some of the other teams’ sprint train riders sat up and delayed the riders behind and the commissaries allowed the time gaps to stand.”
“We were hoping the decision would be clearer – sometimes the jury will make a decision that goes for you, sometimes it goes against you, but the uncertainty creates lots of stress for the GC riders.”
“It needs to be clearer so the sprint teams can take the risk, and the GC riders can stay safe – especially at the end of the day where there can be a lot of street furniture that can cause crashes.”
He wasn’t really caught behind a crash though, Foome was behind him, and still managed to get back up to the front. And what he really wants to do is be careful about wanting UCI ruling to be applied, or he would be penalized from his hand sling the day before ! #hypocrite
Bog off, Bertie. Only when it suits you! You don’t hear Valverde whining on like this. #noyoudidn’twin3giros
Got let of for his cheeky hand sling the stage before.