The Tour de France has a new leader: Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) has been given a 20-second time penalty after taking supplies in the last 20 kilometers. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) benefits and is the new leotard jaune.
During the podium ceremony there was suddenly no trace of Julian Alaphilippe, who had extended his yellow jersey by a day.
The plot twist was explained by images on French television.
At 18 kilometers from the finish, the French chouchou had accepted another water bottle from a caretaker.
Unless otherwise stated, resupply is prohibited in the last 20 kilometers.
The jury showed no mercy with the maillot jaune and gave Alaphilippe a 20-second penalty.
The yellow hangs around Adam Yates’ shoulders. In the new position, Alaphilippe is now 16th, 16 seconds behind Yates.
Alaphilippe: “Decision of the jury, there is not much you can do about it”
Julian Alaphilippe reacted quite resignedly to the news that he has to give up the yellow. “This is a decision of the jury, there is not much I can do about it.”
“It was a boring stage and then it is important that you stay focused. No problem, we will do it again tomorrow.”
Tom Steels: “We made a mistake, nothing can be done”
The disappointment was of course great at Deceuninck-Quick Step. “It is a shame that we lose the yellow jersey in this way,” said sports director Tom Steels. “We know the ban on supplies in the last 20 kilometers, but there were certain circumstances today.”
“We had to go through town and it was quite dangerous at 70 km / h. Then we had to get into position leading up to the climb. It was the only place where we could give a water bottle.”
“It’s a special Tour, everyone has to be careful with the bubbles. We have to stay away from the public. That’s why we went 2 kilometers past the 20 kilometer mark.”
“We made a mistake, there is nothing we can do about it. We were very disappointed in the bus, but we will get back together and fight for stage wins again.”
“Julian was of course very disappointed, because in the end he didn’t do anything wrong. He didn’t gain anything by drinking from a water bottle twice. But he was also happy that Sam (Bennett, ed.) Took the green.”
“From a sports point of view it is very difficult to accept that they have taken the yellow jersey from Alaphilippe in this way. If you lose the jersey because you are not good enough, then that is not a problem. This way it is sour.”
Patrick Lefevere: “Julian doesn’t deserve to lose the yellow jersey like that”
Patrick Lefevere also accepted the decision of the competition jury. “Julian doesn’t deserve to lose his jersey like this, but the rules are the same for everyone,” the Deceuninck-Quick Step manager told Le Parisien newspaper.
“It’s very sour, but there are rules. And if they apply that rigorously to others, that also applies to us. The yellow jersey has no privileges. Everyone knew the rules, but apparently someone with us did not know.”
“Racing means that you can lose the jersey due to a fall, a flat tire or a lesser condition, but lose it in such a stupid way … And on top of that, that stupidity was committed by one of us. Nobody can be satisfied with this. to be.”
“It’s unbelievable, but it will pass like a gust of wind and we’ll be able to straighten our heads. It’s just a small thing.”
Dries Devenyns: “A fine would make more sense”
