The wheels come off
Zeeland – Champion Vincenzo Nibali (above) complained of “bad luck” on Sunday after he lost almost a minute-and-a half to two of his main Tour de France rivals.
The 30-year-old Sicilian was caught up in a crash 50km from the end of Sunday’s 166km second stage from Utrecht to Zeeland, which was won by Andre Greipel as Fabian Cancellara (above) relieved Australia’s Rohan Dennis of the leader’s yellow jersey.
The crash happened at a time when Etixx-Quick Step were driving the pace on the front of the peloton as heavy rain and crosswinds caused havoc.
Astana leader Nibali could not get back up to the lead group and lost 1min 28sec on Chris Froome, who he succeeded as Tour champion, and almost as much to double winner Alberto Contador.
Only Colombian Nairo Quintana of the “fantastic four” was also caught out and he remains 18sec behind Nibali overall.
“We were following (the pace-setters) all day. I was behind (a crash) and I didn’t quite understand what was happening,” said Nibali, one of only six riders to win all three Grand Tours.
“I managed to stay on my bike but I lost some ground there and I also punctured ( later).
“It was a question of bad luck, not my legs. That’s cycling, you also have to accept these things.”
Quintana also blamed chance on his being caught out.
“With the rain and the crashes we had a bit of bad luck and we lost a bit of time,” said the 25-year-old Colombian, the 2014 Giro d’Italia winner. –