It was the ugly story of Friday on the Critérium du Dauphiné.
The Colombian Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE) had been disqualified for having hit, in the middle of the race and at almost 70 km / h, the Frenchman Hugo Page (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert).
Upon arrival in Gap, Molano attacked the Frenchman again, hitting him again on the helmet.
A few minutes later, the sanction had fallen: Molano had been excluded from the race, receiving in addition a fine of 2000 Swiss francs and a withdrawal of 100 points in the UCI (the international federation) classification.
This Saturday at the start of the 7th stage in Saint-Chaffrey (Hautes-Alpes), Page returned to the incident.
“At first I was very disturbed because I did not know how to explain this gesture, admits the Frenchman.
He told me that I was very dangerous.
But, when you watch the video, you can see that I didn't do anything very dangerous.
I don't think I'm a dangerous cyclist either.
The proof, I even said on Thursday that I would not take part in the sprint if it was massive and too perilous”.
Page also didn't expect Molano to come and assault him a second time after the finish.
“I was at first in the misunderstanding, he explains.
In times like these, you have to stay calm.
We represent a team and a sponsor.
My team gave me my chance for two years so I want to do things well and keep calm in this kind of situation.
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In his defense, Molano had explained to his managers that he had a dispute with Page.
Which makes the latter smile yellow.
“A few days earlier, we had a discussion but which absolutely does not justify what he did on Friday: it was during the sprint of the 2nd stage.
Everyone wanted to take van Aert's wheel.
In a turn, I was close to Molano and he wanted to hug me.
But I'm not the nice little guy who won't do anything and I remained courteous by showing him that I wanted to take van Aert's wheel.
That's all.
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For the hope of the French sprint, the serious incident of Friday cannot remain without follow-up.
“I thought about the other riders because it could have been very dangerous for them too.
We are 150 in the peloton and our families watch us on TV.
My mother, for example, is always afraid for me in the final races.
And no one wants to see such images.
First the young runners.
I hope that the UCI will impose a sanction on him so that he understands that it is inadmissible to hit a rider”.
In the evening, calmed down or prompted by his UAE team, the Colombian sent a message of apology to Page.
"I accept them because you have to go over it," says the Frenchman.
But this is not the first time this has happened to him.
He had a lot of problems with a lot of runners.
So he deserves a punishment.
".