The nerves are apparently tense among some riders in the Dauphiné. Although it had been clear for some time that the escapees would compete for the stage victory, Sebastian Molano (UAE) still found it necessary to look for things with Hugo Page (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert). The Colombian was kicked out of the French stage race by the competition jury.
Just under 10 kilometers from the finish in Gap, Sebastian Molano visited his sprint colleague Hugo Page, who is riding in the green of Wout van Aert. A brief altercation ensued that ended in a blow from Molano in the face of Page. Even after the finish, Page had to take a few heated words and a blow.
“According to him, I cut him off, but that was not the case at all,” the Frenchman reacted afterwards. “It’s not because I’m only 20 that he can do something like that to me. He’s crazy!”
Because of this bizarre action, the Colombian is not allowed to continue his way in the Critérium du Dauphiné (WorldTour). He was disqualified by the competition jury immediately after the finish.
I understand why I was disqualified, and can only say I’m sorry
Molano, 27, now expressed regret in a statement from his UAE Team Emirates team: “It was fast and nervous in the run-up to the finish, and in the heat of the battle I made a dangerous mistake.”
“I would like to apologize to Hugo Page and all the other riders. I understand why I was disqualified, and can only say that I am sorry and that I will learn from it.”
Due to the disqualification of Molano, the Belgians Jordi Meeus and Wout van Aert move up to the respective tenth and eleventh place in the day result.
WATCH: Molano throws punch to Page
WATCH: Even after the finish, the duo clashed
Page: “Why I didn’t respond? I abhor violence”
Victim Hugo Page turned to Twitter a few hours later to tell his side of the story. “A lot of people have asked me why I didn’t respond to that attack?”
“Because that is dangerous if you drive 80 km/h in a descent, and that with 150 riders together. If you fall, it can have serious consequences.”
“Because that’s not the image I want to convey, I abhor violence.”
“And because, like all other riders, I represent sponsors and a team that allow me to race at this level and to exercise my passion. I want to do that in a beautiful way.”
“I am happy that I was able to wear this beautiful green jersey and that I was able to sprint here for the last time in this Dauphiné.”
