Michael Goolaerts of Lotto–Soudal U23 wins, but only after An Post-Chainreaction's sprinter crashed at speed. The team says a rival deliberately pulled his handlebars.
The An Post-Chainreaction team may have had one of its men in the breakaway on the opening stage of a five-day race in France yesterday, but in the sprint to the line another one of its riders was sent crashing to the ground.
And the team has claimed it was deliberate foul place that saw its in-form Belgian sprinter Nicolas Vereecken fall off at speed.
Jack Wilson, the only Irish man riding for An Post-Chainreaction in the Tour de Loir et Cher, went clear in the day’s main escape with compatriot Conor Dunne (JLT Condor) and Kersten Thiele (German National Team).
They built a lead of six minutes but were caught on the final 15km lap of three on the finishing circuit, clearing the way for a sprint.
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But in that sprint Vereecken crashed as he was shaping up for another strong result – after winning stage 2 of Circuit des Ardennes International at the weekend and taking six top 10 placings in the seven-stage Tour of Normandie last month.
Nicolas Vereecken is in-form and was hunting for victory on the opening stage in France when he crashed (Photo: Sirotti)
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An Post-Chainreaction issued a race report from stage 1 in France last evening describing what it said happened.
“With just 500 meters to go in a big fast bunch sprint with Nicolas Vereecken lying in 3rd place another rider deliberately pulled on his handlebars causing him too crash at a very high speed,” it said.
“Early reports are that Vereecken is alright and will be able to start tomorrow. The team will be making a formal complaint about such a dangerous incident.”
Vereecken remounted and limped over the line towards the back end of the field.
Dunne and Wilson were both held up in the chaos of the crash but were credited with the same time as the main field, which came home just three seconds behind the top five on the day.
An Post-Chainreaction directeur Kurt Bogaerts said he was disappointed with the final outcome and the circumstances of the crash.
"It was a good performance by Jack, I am very happy with the way the guys are thinking about the racing,” he said.
“On the other hand I am very disappointed for Nicolas who had a good chance to go for his second win after good teamwork."
Sprint finish, stage 1
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