Confusion over race lead at Tour de Normandie

Tom Scully of British team Madison Genesis loses race lead before stage two after judges award yellow jersey to Tom Bohli. Photos by Andy Jones

Erick Rowsell and Tom Scully, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

An unexpected judges' decision at the Tour de Normandie saw Madison-Genesis rider Tom Scully 'lose' the overall race lead between signing on for stage two on Wednesday and reaching the start line.

As we reported yesterday, New Zealander Scully was awarded the yellow jersey of race leader after stage one of the French stage race. Overnight leader and prologue winner Tom Bohli (BMC Development) had lost time and - seemingly - relinquished the lead after being caught up in a crash with around three kilometres to go on stage one.

As he had finished in 44th place on stage one, Scully himself had not realised that he had taken the race lead, and was making his way back to the team hotel when he was recalled to the podium.

On Wednesday morning, Scully signed on wearing the yellow jersey, but a subsequent decision by the race judges saw the race lead awarded back to Bohli. The judges had considered that he had been caught in a crash, and nullified the time he lost the previous day.

A hurried changing of race numbers on the yellow jersey ensued, with Scully pulling on a regular Madison-Genesis jersey. After a delay to the stage start, it was Bohli that rolled out of start town Duclair with the race lead.

At the end of the day, the race leader was clear: it was neither Scully nor Bohli as escapee Dimitri Claeys (Vérandas Willems) prevailed in Elbeuf-sur-Seine over his breakaway companion, British rider Alex Peters (SEG Racing). Josh Edmondson, making his debut for An Post, had also been part of the same late escape before dropping back.

Claeys is now the undisputed leader of the race, 14 seconds ahead of Bohli with Scully in third at 16 seconds. Peters is seventh at 17 seconds.

The seven-day, UCI 2.2-ranked race concludes on Sunday, March 29.

Madison-Genesis at the stage start, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

Madison-Genesis with 'race leader' Tom Scully presented to the spectators
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Tom Scully, Tour de Normandie 2014, stage two

Tom Scully signed on in the yellow jersey
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Start in Duclair, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

Start in Duclair, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Tom Bohli, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

But by the time the race started, it was Tom Bohli back in the yellow jersey
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Mike Northey in the day's original break, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

Mike Northey in the day's original break
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Owain Doull, Team Wiggins, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

Owain Doull, Team Wiggins
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Mark McNally and Andy Tennant, Tour de Normandie 2015 stage two

Mark McNally and Andy Tennant
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Jake Tanner of the 3M team, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

Jake Tanner of the 3M team
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Dan Patten of Team Wiggins, Tour de Normandie 2015, stage two

Dan Patten of Team Wiggins
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.