Romain Bardet blames 'leg problem' for poor showing on La Planche des Belles Filles
The Frenchman lost over a minute to Geraint Thomas on stage six of the Tour de France
Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) has blamed a "leg problem" on his poor showing on the Tour de France 2019's first summit finish, La Planche des Belles Filles.
The Frenchman lost more than a minute to Geraint Thomas (Ineos), the highest-placed GC contender, finishing 2-53 back on stage winner Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida).
>>> Double difficulty: Can Geraint Thomas buck the trend to win back to back Tours?
With his Ag2r La Mondiale team also losing over a minute in the team time trial on stage two, Bardet has seen his GC ambitions severely dented, if not lying in ruins, after less than a week of racing.
Speaking after stage six, where he had a mechanical as he crossed the finish line to add insult to injury, Bardet explained what went wrong: "I had a leg problem. I was not at the level today. I make it hard and bitter. I will try to understand what happened. I remain very motivated for this Tour.
"There are plenty of things to do. But first I have to understand what happened and why I couldn't keep up in the last kilometre."
The 28-year-old is yet to elaborate on the specifics of this leg problem, and will face the longest stage of this year's race, the 230km stage seven, the day after climbing La Planche des Belles Filles.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
However, he has described feeling "shame" at letting his team-mates down, telling Le Parisien this was because he "was not at the level when everyone had worked so hard. I feel like I have been a spectator and have shown only that. The words are strong but I am very dissatisfied with myself."
Bardet is one of two Frenchman who carry the hopes of their nation at their home Grand Tour. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) put in a strong performance, living up to pre-race expectation of his form and finishing fifth on stage six, just two seconds behind Thomas.
Meanwhile, the French yellow jersey holder Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) lost the race lead to Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) despite a spirited fightback on La Planche des Belles Filles, finishing ahead of many pure climbers.
Ciccone's total of 14 bonus seconds, six from finishing second on the stage and eight from being the second rider to reach the summit of the Col des Chevrères, gave him enough time to overhaul Alaphilippe's lead, the Italian currently ahead of the Frenchman by just six seconds.
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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Luke Rowe to leave Ineos Grenadiers, joins Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale as a sports director
The Welsh rider spent 13 years with the British squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
TV coverage of a bike race can leave you with a strange impression of a country
TV footage is deceptive so choose your illusion wisely
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Romain Bardet celebrates 'pure cycling' masterclass after claiming first Tour de France yellow jersey
British teammate Oscar Onley says dsm–firmenich PostNL display was 'pure racing instinct'
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's not worth risking his long term health': DSM-Firmenich withdraw concussed Romain Bardet from Tour de France
DSM-Firmenich enact their concussion protocol to withdraw the Frenchman from the race
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
‘You never know in the Tour’ - Romain Bardet fearless as he lines up Tour de France GC bid
The 32-year-old is ready to play the tactical game this July
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'GC is not the goal' — Romain Bardet and DSM will hunt stage wins at the Tour de France
Frenchman returns to home Grand Tour for the first time since 2020 next month
By Adam Becket Published
-
Romain Bardet is heading back to the Tour de France for the first time since 2020
Frenchman will return to his home Grand Tour with Team DSM after leaving the Giro d'Italia early due to illness
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It's horrible for us. He is a great champion' — Team DSM react to Romain Bardet leaving Giro d'Italia
Frenchman forced to leave race after falling ill
By Adam Becket Published
-
Bad day for Bardet as illness rules Romain out of the Giro d'Italia
Frenchman was flying high in 4th on general classification
By Adam Becket Published
-
Romain Bardet sees himself, Mikel Landa and Richard Carapaz as maybe the 'three best' at the Giro d'Italia
Team DSM's Frenchman sits in third overall on second rest day
By Adam Becket Published