Dylan Groenewegen blasts team mechanics after losing Dubai Tour lead through time penalty
The Dutchman moved out of the overall lead of the Dubai Tour after being penalised for drafting cars
LottoNL-Jumbo sprinter Dylan Groenewegen has slammed his own team mechanics after he lost the Dubai Tour blue leader's jersey following a penalty from the commissaires.
The Dutchman suffered a mechanical problem with 70km left to race on stage three and was paced back to the peloton by his team car.
But the judges ruled he had sat in the cars draft for too long and penalised him 20 seconds, obliterating the two second lead he held at the start of the day over Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) and plunging him down to 42nd on general classification.
The Dutchman had no quibble with the judges’ decision to penalise him 20 seconds for drafting his team car but instead directed his fury at his own team.
“I had problems with my bike, the mechanicals f***** it up for me. I actually think it was a good decision by the judges but it f***** it up for me,” he said.
“It’s the fault of my mechanics,” he said. “It was my goal to win the Dubai Tour but now it’s really difficult. Maybe we’ll see on the last day.
He added: “My second bike was f***** too, that’s why I changed it. It was the bottom bracket. It was completely f*****.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHQpOM07U1s
Gorenewegen won the opening stage of the five day race, beating Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana) to the line on the stage from Skydive Dubai to Palm Jumeirah, taking the overall lead. Despite eventually making it back to the peloton on Thursday's stage, he was unable to contest the finish which was won by Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data).
When asked if he realised he had stayed behind the team car longer than was allowed Groenewegen said: “I stayed behind the car because it was really windy and the race was broken into two groups.”
The Dubai Tour continues on Friday with its only summit finish of the race to Hatta Dam, which will likely play a large part in deciding the race's overall winner.
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
Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.
-
Colnago ditches the traditional diamond frame for its radical new Y1Rs - 'the most aerodynamic UCI-compliant road bike in the World Tour'
Designed in conjunction with Team UAE and the result of years of innovative R&D Colnago's Y1Rs cuts a progressive departure from the existing VR4s. Is this the shape of things to come?
By Luke Friend Published
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Cian Uijtdebroeks turns up to Jumbo-Visma training camp in black kit
The 20-year-old, at the centre of Bora-Hansgrohe v Jumbo-Visma storm, headed out on a ride with his new teammates
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jumbo-Visma's Michel Hessman facing lengthy doping ban
German rider previously suspended by Jumbo-Visma after positive anti-doping test
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Wout van Aert to target Giro d'Italia general classification in 2024
Belgian will target top five finish at Italian Grand Tour as leader of Jumbo-Visma, according to reports
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma among teams working on new pro racing league
According to Reuters, around five teams are in the early talks for a new competition
By Adam Becket Published
-
Merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step is off, reports
The new super-team is apparently now not happening, according to the Belgian press
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič joins Bora-Hansgrohe from Jumbo-Visma
'He's one of the best riders in the world' Bora boss Ralph Denk on German team's 'inspirational' new signing
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Jumbo-Visma and Quick-Step merger set to leave cycling's top rank a team short
Cycling's governing body warns that it must comply with regulations, specifically relating to contracts for all team staff
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič should ride for 'the smartest man in cycling', says Brian Holm
Holm says Roglič would be a good fit for Ineos Grenadiers to help reclaim former glory under Rod Ellingworth
By Tom Thewlis Published