And this isn’t a spoiler. “Oh no I wanted to hear Bob say Piil and Mayo didn’t start today’s stage.” Yeah right.
“Dane Jakob Piil has pulled out of the Tour de France because of a knee injury, his CSC team says. “He’s suffering from a muscle problem in the knee and won’t start tomorrow’s stage,” explained team director Bjarne Riis on Monday.”
12 H 07 - Mayo’s Reason For Retiring…
One of the big pre-race favourites, Iban Mayo, went for a ride during yesterday’s rest day. He was not happy with his form and has opted to abandon the race.
12 H 04 - Racing In Stage 15
Jean-Marie Leblanc has waved the start flag from the race director’s car. Stage 15 has officially begun with 158 riders still in the race.
The two missing riders are Iban Mayo and Jakob Piil.
Wow, disappointing. Piil was very impressive over the opening week. I read someting to the effect that he spent 260 km in breakaways. I had tipped him for overall “Most Combative Rider”.
That’s a shame for both of them. The lesson for me- even the pros have problems hitting the taper/peak cycle correctly. I’m sure Mayo is happy to have his Dauphine win instead of nothing at all, but I’m equally sure he’d trade that in a second for a third place on GC at the Tour. Maybe (hopefully) next year.
Wow, disappointing. Piil was very impressive over the opening week. I read someting to the effect that he spent 260 km in breakaways. I had tipped him for overall “Most Combative Rider”.
It is a shame to see him go.
Shouldn’t Robby McEwen be the most combative rider of all times because of his aggressive riding - always sprinting with his elbow in his competitor’s face.