Swift Caught Up in Controversial Final Sprint Crash

 

Tuesday, 5 July 2017, United Arab Emirates: UAE Team Emirates’ Ben Swift was denied a top 10 finish on stage four of the Tour de France as the rider was caught up in a controversial crash, metres from the finish. Fellow UAE Team Emirates rider Maneule Mori was fortunate to avoid the crash and went on to finish the race in 8th place. As a results of the crash, Peter Segan (BORA - Hansgrohe) has been disqualified from the Tour.  

 

Today’s race marked a return of the tour to the ever present, Vittel. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) won the sprint finish with Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) retaining the Yellow Jersey for the fourth day whilst UAE Team Emirates’ Diego Ulissi remains in the top 20.  

 

Speaking after the stage Ben Swift said: “You’re sprinting and following the wheel and then all of a sudden I went flying. We were sprinting in a line and then all of a sudden there was a body on the floor and we tried to turn but it was not possible. We had to come back after the earlier crash so we were already on the limit.”

 

Starting in Vittel, Stage Five is widely regarded as one of the most important early stages, covering 216km. GC riders will be drawn out as they tackle the first category one climb of the Tour, up to La Planche des Belles Filles which will challenge riders with a maximum gradient of 20%. Whilst riders will not naturally use this stage to gain a significant time advantage, it can give competitors a big psychological boost, as they end the day at the top of the first summit finish.

 

Speaking ahead of the next stage, Louis Meintjes said: “Tomorrow we will start another race. It will be an important one in order to know the strength of the field, as it is the first race at altitude.”