TOUR DE FRANCE - STAGE 15 BENJAMIN THOMAS PICKED UP IN THE LAST KILOMETER pubblicato il 17/07/2022

 

Communiqué de presse Cofidis
 

Sunday 17 July 2022

TOUR DE FRANCE - STAGE 15
BENJAMIN THOMAS PICKED UP IN THE LAST KILOMETER

In his home region, the rider from Tarn made an attack on the last climb of the day and was caught only 500 meters from the finish. A great performance that delighted the team. As planned Simon Geschke keeps his polka-dot jersey for tomorrow's rest day.

 

© Photo Mathilde L'Azou / Team Cofidis

It was not easy for him to keep on going, yet he gathered all his resources to hold on to his position. Benjamin Thomas brightened up the afternoon for all those who watched the day's stage in the shade of the blazing sun. On the road itself, during one of the longest stages of this edition (202.5 km between Rodez and Carcassonne), the heat was overwhelming.

Thomas, #1 animator of the stage

The scenario of the stage seemed to be clear from the beginning: a breakaway before the finish and an explanation between the sprinters. Except that Benjamin Thomas decided to play his own game, shaking up the established order and taking his chances. It was on the Côte des Cammazes, with about 50 km to go, that he decided to make an attack. Followed by Alexis Gougeard, he reached the top of the climb.

Then, the rider from Tarn continued his attack and approached the finish line with the hope of winning. His self-sacrifice and courage, in the middle of the heat and under the spotlight, were impressive. And even if the peloton was getting close, even if the sprinters' teams reduced the gap (never more than 30 seconds), Benjamin held on. Hope was still present when he passed the red flag and it was only some 400 meters from the finish line that the peloton finally caught him.

Geschke keeps his polka dot jersey

With this exceptional solo ride, Benjamin - who won the Étoile de Bessèges and the Boucles de la Mayenne this year - once again demonstrated his talent and determination. His resistance and his will to give everything are in tune with the spirit of the Cofidis team, which aims to be opportunistic and take its chances every day. At the same time, Simon Geschke kept his polka dot jersey of best climber, he knew that he would not be challenged today.

The arrival in Carcassonne marks the end of the second week of competition. The riders will finally be able to enjoy a day of rest this Monday. There will be a bike ride, massages and sessions with the physiotherapist. A particularly valuable day before starting the last week of this Tour de France, with the Pyrenees on the program and then the prestigious finish at the Champs-Élysées in just one week.

Team Cofidis

© Photo A.S.O./Charly Lopez

THEY SAID

Benjamin Thomas

Benjamin Thomas : "I started further back than I thought. At first, I wanted to score points for the mountain classification to protect Simon's jersey. When I saw that Alexis Gougeard was with me, I said to myself: "why not try my luck". I knew the finish by heart. It was perfect to give it a try and I didn't miss much. The people along the roads encouraged me, I thank them and I had faith in it! When the peloton got back, everything fell apart... Today, it didn't go far but there will be other opportunities next week."

Christian Guiberteau

Christian Guiberteau, sport director : "Whenever we have an opportunity, we try to be there. That's how we always manage to win stages. Especially a stage like this one, a difficult and tiring transition stage. Benjamin had recognized the road; he knows the region very well. He had pointed out to this stage even before the beginning of the Tour. The race conditions made it possible for him to take off with 50km to go, it was a head-to-head with the peloton until the end. It's a pity to be caught so close to the finish but it's a great performance from Benjamin."

NEXT STAGE

CARCASSONNE > FOIX (178,5 km)

Etape 16

 IN THE EYE OF MATHILDE L'AZOU ? 

Etape 14
Etape 14
Etape 14
Etape 14

NOS LIENS UTILES

Dossier de presse

 

 



 ;

JARNO WIDAR VINCE IL GIRO NEXT GEN A MATTHEW BRENNAN LA TAPPA FINALE TADEJ POGACAR ha vinto il GIRO D'ITALIA edizione 107 - TIM MERLIER [...] LA MAGLIA ROSA TADEJ POGACAR VINCE LA VENTESIMA TAPPA DEL GIRO [...] ANDREA VENDRAME VINCE LA DICIANNOVESIMA TAPPA DEL GIRO D’ITALIA [...]