While cycling fans were treated to jaw dropping mano-a-mano racing on the slopes of Joux Plane and a scintillating downhill SWOOSH victory for Carlos Rodriguez (who would have expected two stages for the INEOS Grenadiers), I want to take a moment for Adrien Petit’s (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) personal battle on stage 14 of the Tour de France
Adrien is one of those riders I love to watch and his Tour de France logbook posts for RFI have been wonderful.
Jour de départ du Tour de France et 1er carnet de route @adrienpetit62 ange gardien de Biniam Girmay dans l’équipe Intermarché-Circus-Wanty https://t.co/uGKfvdXUaO via @RFI #TdF2023 #girmay @IntermarcheCW
— Thomas-Sean de Saint Leger (@ThomasdeStLeger) July 1, 2023
Involved in a huge crash after only 6km of racing I feared for Adrien as he got back on his bike, leg bandaged and showing more skin than lycra on his bibs.
Infernal day ahead for Adrien Petit, I hope he makes it in time in Morzine. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/AUpxZ9mkqZ
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) July 15, 2023
Over the years I have changed how I view riders racing on in the face of injuries -it’s not always the most sensible course of action. However, I have never doubted the courage it takes to get back on a bike when I know I’d be weeping on a verge and limping to the nearest sofa. He wasn’t the only rider who struggled today but as he crossed the line as last rider in a group of three, some 38 minutes behind the flying Spaniard, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Whether he can start tomorrow is another question. #ALLEZADRIEN
All riders who were still out on the road make it within the time cut, last rider in is Adrien Petit 🦬 who was involved in the big crash at the start and wrapped in bandages
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) July 15, 2023
Through courage and resilience, Adrien Petit finished Tour de France stage 14 within time limits ❤️ #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/6DLOpmR8S9
— Intermarché-Circus-Wanty (@IntermarcheCW) July 15, 2023
I don’t know how other providers manage this, but I second this suggestion.
When the leaders get home safely. It would be good if Eurosport Discovery and GCN showed the other riders struggles to get home in time @eurosport @gcn
— Andrew James (@badbrainAJ) July 15, 2023
There haven’t been a lot of crashes at The Tour this year, thank goodness. Which makes it more of jolt that we had two in such close succession with a lot of riders abandoning the race. Heal well all of you (data from first cycling.com)
Stage results
🏆 Rankings and jerseys after stage 14
🏆 Classements et maillots distinctifs après l'étape 14#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/2Z6rDNtet0
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 15, 2023