For a few minutes it seemed like we were reliving the same scene as on April 4th, when the Tour of the Basque Country ruined the spring of cycling. The same actors – Evenepoel and Roglic – and an overall similar scenario. This time, however, the scene of the big fall was the Dauphiné Criterium and the Cote de Bel Air, a small climb at the end of the fifth stage.
Yet after leaving behind those almost two kilometers at a 5 percent gradient, the runners discovered that the descent would be much more treacherous than the climb. Narrow and wet road. The teams shoulder to shoulder to all stay in front. And as soon as one hit the brakes, the disaster began. Another one, one might say, caused by the lack of propensity for prudence, even when safety is at stake three weeks before the Tour.
The heart of Lefevere
The images chilled the heart for a few moments. Evenepoel on the ground again, this time with the yellow jersey a few hours after the dominated time trial. Standing in the grass, hand on his shoulder and a wound on his knee, as if taking stock of the situation and chase away ghosts.
«I can imagine that Remco was scared after a fall like that – says Patrick Lefevere – so that’s why he touched his shoulder. I’m not saying my heart stopped, it doesn’t happen that often. But of course fun is another thing. But I would like to say that this time there is no one to blame, certainly not the organizers of the Dauphiné. Everything was also well signposted, but suddenly it started raining and the group crashed. It was a chain reaction.”
Remco in the grass
Luckily the race leader at the end he got up and taking advantage of the neutralization of the stage, went to take his place again. Shortly before, he had also taken off his cape, because there were 20 kilometers to go and the stage would soon get underway. The wait was a bit anxious, especially thinking about the Tour. Then Remco spoke to the team doctor, who was in the flagship, smiled and set off again.
«My helmet saved me – said Evenepoel – and this shows once again how important it is to wear it. We knew there had already been some falls on the previous descent, so perhaps we could have lived it with a little more peace of mind. I still love my job, but my goal is to win races and not end up on the ground. I batted on the right side. I was sitting because I couldn’t move my knee, but when I saw that others around me were in worse shape, I got up.
«I’m happy because I’m still alive. Last year I was ten seconds ahead of someone who died immediately behind (the reference is to the Tour de Suisse 2023 and the death of Gino Mader, ed.). Unfortunately, falls are part of sport, but sometimes you also have to deal with death. This helps me accept difficult moments and keep my spirits high.”
Is Roglic retiring?
Who doesn’t want to smile too much is Primoz Roglic, who when there is a fall, often ends up in it. That’s how it was on Tuesday and that’s how it was this time too. It’s okay not to be afraid, but maybe if the Slovenian falls so often, there must probably be a reason.
«I fell on my shoulder – he says – the one I had to operate on a few years ago, so it’s not good. I can’t say for sure that I will continueI will have to get checked by the doctor first.”
Hard to believe that, having not raced since early April, Roglic will consider withdrawing from the Dauphiné if there are no more than valid reasons. Arriving at the Tour without this race in your legs means granting certain opponents an advantage that is far too important. However, eight runners had to abandon the race. Between them Dylan Van Baarle with a fractured collarbone and Steven Kruijswijk with a pelvic injury: both very important elements for Vingegaard at the Tour.
