The first cyclist to withdraw from the 2024 Tour de France is an Italian cyclist, Michele Gazzoli from Astana. He had to raise the white flag halfway through the first stage, suffering from intestinal problems and heat stroke. Sad photograph of the current state of our movement, now increasingly on the margins of world cycling.
Tour de France relentless from the first bars with one first stop from Florence to Rimini which saw several twists and turns on an Apennine track that put the platoon in difficulty. Without dizzying speeds or overbearing sprints, the climbs in Central Italy have already made their selection, putting the big names and the other members to the test. Among which there was a first withdrawal: it is about Michael Gazzolione of only eight Italians registered in this edition that has halfway through the race has raised the white flag. Another unmistakable sign of the general malaise in which our cycling finds itself.
Hopes were reduced to a glimmer from the eve with very few registered among our cyclists and even fewer hopes of finding some success or moment of glory in the three weeks of a Tour that immediately proved to be very difficult and complicated for many. And now, after only 200 kilometers and one stage the number of our riders is even smaller.
Gazzoli’s withdrawal, physical problems for the Italian cyclist
Michele Gazzoli has withdrawn from the 2024 Tour de France, abandoning the most prestigious and important stage race in the world during the first stage from Florence to Rimini. The Italian cyclist had tried to give support to his teammate Mark Cavendish, who had separated from the group already on the first climb; he had in fact been among the crewmen “stopped” by the Astana flagship to give help to the British sprinter in constant difficulty due to health problems. Then, however, Gazzoli himself was hit by a crisis and lost further ground halfway through, ultimately deciding to say goodbye to the Grande Boucle and retire. Intestinal problems and heat stroke for the Italian who raised the white flag, who was then taken to Cesena Hospital for checks.
Why the Tour de France starts in Italy: the significance of the Florence, Bologna and Turin stages
Italy in crisis, France delirious over Bardet
If Italian cycling confirms its general crisis, there is a France of cycling that also celebrates in a disproportionate way following the victory in the first stage of Romain Bardet, the French DSM cyclist who managed to cross the finish line first in Rimini. Wearing the yellow jersey for the first time in his career in what will be his last Tour de France.
A victory achieved with a very long escape held in a highly spectacular manner in the last 3 km with the forceful return of the group preceded by about fifty meters at the finish line. National delirium for Bardetwith France celebrating the Tour with a compatriot who is the absolute leader.
