Mathieu van der Poel did not start the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France on Sunday. The Alpecin-DECEUNCK rider not only suffers from a persistent cold, but also from a bee stitch.
Van der Poel is seen by many as a contender to win the hill ride to Carcassonne. The Dutchman also said this stage told, but is still struggling with a cold.
“How is it going after that cold? Not so good,” Van der Poel said to Sporza prior to the start. “I am not recovering so well. Today is a question mark. I try. But if I don’t feel good, I want to save myself. With the rest day and Mont Ventoux (on Tuesday, ed.) I have two more days to recover.”
Van der Poel also ran a bee stitch on Thursday. “On the Hautacam I was stabbed next to my eye. That was close because of the swelling. I felt that my body also against moisture to drift that poison. It will be fine, but it will cost energy and you need it here every day.”
The former world champion thinks that the Pas du Sant, a climb of the second category, will determine whether he has a chance to win the stage victory. “It depends on which riders you drive there. If you are on the road with better climbers, you can be fired as a classic rider.”
** Translation to English: **
Mathieu van der Poel Did Not Start The Fifteenth Stage of the Tour de France in Top Condition on Sunday. The Alpecin-DEceuninck Rider is not only suffering from a persistent cold, but also from a bee sting.
Van der Poel is Seen by Many as a contender to win the Hilly Stage to Carcassonne. The Dutchman himself also had marked this stage, but is still struggling with a cold.
“How is it going after that cold? Not so good,” Van der Poel Said to Sporza Before the Start. “I’m not recovering well. Today is Therefore a Question Mark. I’ll try. But if i don’t feel well, i want to save myelf. With the rest day and mont ventoux (on Tuesday) I still have two days to recover.”
Van der Poel also Suffered a Bee Sting on Thorsday. “On the hautacam I was Stung Next to My Eye. It was closed due to the swelling. I had the feeling that my body was also fighting it to get rid of that poison. It will be alright, but it costs energy and you need that here Every Kay.”
The Former World Champion Thinks that the Pas du Sant, A Second Category Climb, Will Determine Whether He has a Chance of winning the stage. “It Depends on which riders you are riding with there. If you are on the road with better climbers, you can be dropped as a classic rider.”