Luke Rowe explains why he was handed fine on Tour de France stage three
The British rider was fined by commissaries for 'assault, intimidation, insults, threats, improper conduct'
![Luke Rowe helps Geraint Thomas on stage three of the 2021 Tour de France](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6cdzSXVWyBHKPaFrjctB5e-415-80.jpg)
Luke Rowe has explained why he was handed a fine by Tour de France commissaries on stage three of the race.
In the jury report released after the race, commissaries had given the Welshman a 300CHF (£235) fine and docked him 20 UCI points for 'assault, intimidation, insults, threats, improper conduct'.
To avoid confusion about the fine, Rowe took to Twitter to explain why he had been handed the fine, which he picked up as he tried to help his Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Geraint Thomas back to the peloton following a crash.
"I need to clarify what happened here as a lot of people making the wrong assumption," Rowe wrote.
"We were 3 mins behind chasing with G after the crash. Normally under the circumstances you get some help from team cars. The jury allowed us nothing. When we finally returned to the peleton [sic] I spoke to the jury and said this was not correct under the extreme circumstances of a nasty crash and a mangled shoulder. I shouted at the jury and said some words I shouldn’t of [sic]. There ya have it, peace out."
I need to clarify what happened here as a lot of people making the wrong assumption. We were 3 mins behind chasing with G after the crash. Normally under the circumstances you get some help from team cars. The jury allowed us nothing. When we finally returned to ..... 1/2 https://t.co/ggcC3GgQNIJune 28, 2021
Rowe had stopped to attend to his stricken team leader Geraint Thomas, who had crashed early on in the stage and dislocated his shoulder. The 2018 Tour winner was able to remount his bike after being attended to by medical staff, and was able to finish the chaotic stage just 26 seconds down on the day's winner Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix).
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thomas now sits 1-07 down in the general classification however, with Richard Carapaz the best place rider from Ineos Grenadiers at 31 seconds from overall leader Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix).
Stage three was marred by crashes. Jumbo-Visma's key domestique was forced out of the race after crashing with Geraint Thomas, while Australians Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) both broke collarbones in separate crashes.
Among the GC contenders Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) came off worst after crashing in the final 10km. He was forced to chase on with team-mates and eventually finished 1-21 down on the stage, dropping from fourth to 20th overall at 1-35.
Both Thomas and Roglič should be able to continue on stage four of the Tour, a flat stage of 150.4km from Redon to Fougères.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Tarling, Finucane, Pidcock and more: Eight British riders to watch out for at the Paris Olympics
The cycling events start this weekend, we’ve picked out a handful of riders to keep an eye on in the French capital this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 exciting tech insights to look out for in the Paris Olympics time trials
Disc wheels, new skinsuits and special paint jobs are all likely to be used on Saturday
By Tom Davidson Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published