The Tour de France hadn’t even started that there was already a wounded person in the ranks of the Soudal Quick-Step. Jan Hirtone of the lieutenants of Remco Evenepoel in the mountains, broke 3 teeth before departure, because of a spectator’s backpack. For the Belgian leader of the team who is discovering the roads of the Big loopthe stage went rather well, without any hitches or loss of time, and with good legs according to the person concerned, who crossed the line in Rimini in 8th place. His sports director Tom Steels therefore retain the positives of a demanding first day.
Tom Steels at the microphone of Cyclism’- after the 1st stage
“Jan Hirt? That was a bit scary…”
“It was really hard, the course was quite difficult. There was still 3,600 meters of altitude difference and the heat was another adversary. There were runners who had died. And great runners, who would never have were dropped in other conditions, so it was really hard. The day was complicated in terms of the course, very technical, with a lot of turns all day long. And the heat, for concentration, it’s not easy. But I think they passed the stage well. The main thing is that they didn’t waste any time, that’s the goal for the next 20 days.”
The wound of Jan Hirt was still a setback in this first act: “It was a little scary. He broke his front teeth, but the nerve was open so I think he didn’t have a good day. But he fought well, he gave up at a moment when others gave up, so it’ll be okay.”
