Tour de France - Double Mont Ventoux climb takes toll in peloton and several riders withdraw
Jul 08 2021 07:22 am CET
Tour de France
Several riders have withdrawn during the eleventh stage of the Tour de France, while one rider missed the time-cut.
The eleventh day of competition in the French grand tour was over a difficult, long route that included two climbs to the Mont Ventoux. And this conditions, along with the heat of the day, took a toll on some riders, while others were forced to withdraw after crashing out.
One of the men that crashed out of the race was Tony Martin (Jumbo-Visma), who had already been the victim of the infamous incident on the first stage where a woman with a sign caused havoc. The German hit the deck at the start of the 11th stage, but a medical check reveal he didn't suffer any fractures, but a lot of cuts and abrasions.
Another rider that abandoned was Tiesj Benoot (Team DSM), who was suffering from the consequences of crashes he underwent on the first and third stage. "I am still suffering from the crashes earlier in the race and I could really feel it on the bike today after the hard stage yesterday," the Belgian said. "I am super disappointed to end my tour like this, but now it’s time to take some rest to recover, and get some treatment at home. I wish the guys here the best with the rest of the Tour."
Qhubeka-NextHash's Victor Campenaerts also withdrew from the race, but not before climbing the Mont Ventoux for the first time, where his father -with whom he climbed this mountain for the first time when he was 14- was waiting for him. "I’ve been having a difficult Tour and have been very tired, and I got in difficulties early on in the stage and some riders around me were abandoning, but I wanted to continue to at least do Ventoux once to ensure I saw my dad," he explained. "It was a nice moment to see him there at the top and then it was quite clear that he time cut was not realistic so we had an opportunity to stop and spend a moment together."
Other riders like Daniel Mclay, Clement Russo (Arkea-Samsic), Tosh van der Sande (Lotto Soudal) and Miles Scotson also retired from the race in the middle of the stage, while Ineos Grenadiers' Luke Rowe missed the time limit and won't be at the start line of the 12th stage.
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