BS. Terrible commissaire decision. If this is relegation, than we will see much more of those in the future and we should also see much more in the past. 馃く
Matthews devastated by disqualification after sprint error, Politt takes podium spot: "I had to brake a bit"
CyclingMonday, 01 April 2024 at 10:05
Michael Matthews delivered his best performance yet at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, but his achievement turned bittersweet as the day concluded with tears. The Australian cyclist from Jayco-AlUla pushed through to a third-place finish on sheer determination, only to be later demoted to eleventh for veering off his sprint line. This shift elevated Nils Politt to third place.
Luca Mozzato, who sprinted against Matthews for Ark茅a-B&B Hotels and finished second, immediately stated he found the disqualification unfair. "Sometimes you deviate from your line in a sprint; that's just part of sprinting. I thought it was fairly mild," said the Italian, who was undeniably the day's surprise. "I would have been happy with top fifteen or top twenty, and maybe, just maybe, a top ten. But second is incredible. I might have had the best day of my life in terms of how I felt on the bike. I was also lucky because I was poorly positioned on the first ascent of the Kwaremont and had to bet that others would close the gap. That gamble paid off in the end. Sometimes you need a bit of luck."
Luck might have played a part for Politt too, who lost the sprint for second and third but was later elevated to the podium. "I was initially disappointed to finish fourth right after the race, but when I got to the bus, I found out I was third. It's special to be on the podium here, my second time in a Monument after Paris-Roubaix. We deserve this as a team, with four of us in the second group; I'm proud of that," said the German from UAE-Team Emirates, who was uncertain about the sprint situation. "I was gaining speed and had to brake a bit. I feel sorry for Matthews, but it's a decision made by the jury."
Video: Matthews loses third place in Tour of Flanders
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024