Merciless slope of the Planche des Belles Filles.
With its increase to 24% in the last hectometres, the final of the seventh stage of the Tour de France this Friday turned to torture for a large part of the peloton, unaccustomed to confronting such percentages.
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Louis Meintjes (Intermarché-Wanty-Materials Group) is not one of those who fell into this extraordinary difficulty, quite the contrary, but to seek 16th place, 51 seconds behind the untouchable Tadej Pogacar, the South African had to throw every last force into battle.
Unable to continue on his bike to the finish line, the rider, sixth in the general classification of the last Tour du Dauphiné Libéré, proof of his ability to pass the passes, was forced to dismount and cover the last meters running next to his bike.
In 2019, Stéphane Boury, the finish line manager for the Grande Boucle, had to help some riders not to lose their balance once they crossed the finish line: "
Christian's car (Prudhomme, the director of the Tour) and behind, there were two riders.
I said to myself I will push him.
If he stops because he's dead, it will stop my cars, the words, even if there aren't many who go up to La Planche, so I pushed.
You have to find the right compromise, above all not touching the handlebars, pushing your ass.
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