'That was the worst day of my life' - Fred Wright finishes outside time limit on Tour de France stage 11
The Bahrain Victorious rider was alone for much of Wednesday's stage after suffering early on
Fred Wright is out of the Tour de France on stage 11 after finishing outside the time limit, a day he described post-stage as the worst of his life.
The Bahrain Victorious rider was out the back early on during the mountainous stage in the Massif Central, with about 160km still to ride on Wednesday, and eventually finished just eight minutes outside the time limit.
It was the fastest stage with over 4000m of elevation this millennium, which can't have helped Wright's cause, as well as being a hot day in the centre of France. The former British champion finished 1:01:50 behind the stage winner, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).
"That was the worst day of my life," Wright told ITV Sport post-stage. "I really had to suffer then, and it wasn't much fun.
"I'm not sure to be honest," he replied when asked what had gone wrong. "It was an easy day yesterday, and I felt terrible at the finish. I couldn't help the boys. I thought OK, let's go into today with a fresh mind. I'm always going to be up for it and stay positive. In the start, I was involved for the first one or two kilometres, but then I had a bit of a moment where I felt terrible.
"I dunno, I just didn't have any power left. I was on my own quite early on. I've always been quite good at sort of time trialling, working out what I've got, this is where I need to push. I have no regrets, because that's all I've got. It was just a shame it was me alone."
"I wouldn't have wished this on my worst enemy, not that I've got many enemies," Wright added. "I don't think I'm going to suffer like that again, which is hopefully a good thing."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Wright's breakout ride came at the 2022 Tour de France, when he was a regular in the breaks, finishing second on stage 13 of that race behind Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). In 2023 he impressed again, spending time in the breakaway on two stages. His best result this race was eighth on stage eight, behind Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), who won the stage.
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
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
Power couple Keegan Swenson and Sofia Gomez Villafane win the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix series — again — but changes loom for 2025
Swenson secures third consecutive title, while Gomez Villafane defended her crown in a thrilling finale at Big Sugar Gravel.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Catch all the London 3 Day action live on Cycling Weekly's YouTube channel
Get 20% off tickets with exclusive Cycling Weekly code
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Tadej Pogačar says blistering Sormano attack was 'planned' after cruising to fourth Il Lombardia title
World Champion ends his season on a high in Italy with 25th victory of the year secured at Italian Monument
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish to conclude professional cycling career in Singapore
Tour de France stage win record holder to bring curtain down on racing career at ASO end of season criteriums in Asia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, and all the route rumours for the 2025 Tour de France
Here's where the peloton may be heading next July
By Tom Davidson Published
-
How Tadej Pogačar created history and claimed cycling's Triple Crown of the Giro-Tour-Worlds
A journey that was supposedly fraught with risk and uncertainty was anything but for Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and World Championships victor Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Pogačar mania takes hold in Canada with 2026 Montréal World Championships on the horizon
Organiser of GP Québec and Montréal gearing up for Worlds returning to North America in 2026
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Simon Yates says he took a pay cut in order to join Visma-Lease a Bike
32-year-old says it was now or never as he gets set to leave Jayco AIUla after eleven years
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tadej Pogačar misses out on GP Québec win on return to WorldTour action
Slovenian finishes seventh in first race back since third Tour de France victory
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matteo Jorgenson: 'I would like to go for GC in a Grand Tour at some point'
'It’s been everything that I’ve dreamed of so far' says American as he reflects on debut season with Visma-Lease a Bike
By Tom Thewlis Published