Pithie faces serious criticism after maneuvers involving Dekker and Hofstetter: "He doesn't give a damn about his colleagues"

Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-PremierTech) in particular was extremely angry in Francavilla al Mare. "At five kilometers from the finish, Laurence Pithie was the only one who didn't brake. He doesn't give a damn about others. Then you talk to him and he says it's not his fault," the Frenchman (who finished thirteenth) complained to Eurosport.

Arkéa-B&B Hotels also felt wronged after the race, especially David Dekker. Replay footage shows how Pithie almost drove the Dutchman into the barriers, forcing Dekker to slow down and eventually finish fifteenth. "David was hindered twice in the last few hundred meters, and we almost had a second crash," said team leader Mickael Leveau. "It's a shame, because there was definitely a chance for a top-five finish today." The race jury also acknowledged Pithie's reckless behavior, fining him 500 Swiss francs and deducting 25 UCI points.

In Groupama-FDJ's press release, the Kiwi doesn't mention the incidents at all. "The team did a really good job to keep me at the front in the last twenty kilometres, then I was able to find my way in the sprint. One kilometre from the finish, I was a bit far back, but luckily with the headwind I was able to move forward. It was the first time I was able to properly sprint in this Giro, which is a positive sign," Pithie continues. "My legs are a lot better, which is good too. Hopefully we can keep this momentum and keep climbing the leaderboard. This result is motivating, and if we continue to fight like this, there will be more chances for us in the coming days.” 

Team leader Frédéric Guesdon perhaps unintentionally addressed his rider's incident in the press release. "With the headwind in the finale, it was better not to be in front too early. Pithie did very well, despite some fighting for position. We know that there is a high level in sprinting here, and everyone is taking more and more risks and the race is getting more and more heated.”