Florian Lipowitz’s crash out of the Tour de France on stage 16 is a “bittersweet pill to swallow”, his teammate Remco Evenepoel said.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe‘s Evenepoel won the individual time trial on Tuesday from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains, but his victory was marred by Lipowitz’s crash.
He slid out on a corner during the time trial stage and crashed into the barrier after careering across the tarmac.
He was slow to get up and appeared to be in considerable pain, clutching one shoulder, and was then escorted to a stretcher and out of the race. It is the second stage in a row that a general classification contender has crashed out, after Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) on Sunday.
“It’s a very bittersweet pill for us to swallow,” Evenepoel said in his post-race press conference. “Obviously I wasn’t up to date during my race and at the finish line. When I knew that I won they told me that Lipo crashed out. In first place it’s very sad for the rider himself. We all do big sacrifices, in one stupid corner to crash out and probably break something is probably sad. Lipo is one of the best climbers in the world and for the stages coming he will be missed in the time.
“He did big sacrifices to get top this shape for the Tour. Me personally, and the team, we will miss him a lot. All he has to focus on is to have a healthy and a good recovery, it’s something you wish for no-one.”
At the bus, Red Bull sports director Klaas Lodewyck said: “It’s really bitter to see it like this, there are mixed emotions. We are over the moon with the win from Remco, but the loss of Lipo is a big blow of course.
Asked if he told Evenepoel on the radio, he said: “No that’s something you definitely don’t want to mention, because then you create some panic in the head of the rider. That was not communicated.”
“It’s way too early to say something, that’s up to the doctors,” he concluded. “We’ll probably find out after he visits the hospital.”
Fellow Red Bull DS Patxi Vila, asked about what will happen next, said: “First thing, we’re a man down. One of our two leaders. It’s too early to think of anything else, but it’s not ideal for sure. For Lipo, I hope it’s nothing serious and that he’s back soon.”
Yellow jersey Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) added: “He’s been riding super solid, and the third week could suit him really well. Also Bora it’s really nice that they could play with two men. He’s a good kid, Florian, and I’m sad to see him leave the Tour, especially today. It’s shit to crash, and I hope he can recover fast.”
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