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The second stage of the Tour de France was full of emotions and left Julian Alaphilippe as the winner. The Frenchman won the final sprint against Marc Hirschi and wore yellow. The squad of favorites managed to cut time with the escapees and the surprise of the day was the two falls of the Colombian Daniel Felipe Martínez.
The Education First rider had a fall at the beginning of the second stage, then he was strong in the field of favorites, but at 29 kilometers from the finish he slipped. He had some signs of pain but was able to quickly rejoin and with the help of Hugh Carthy he managed to deduct the minute difference with the pelotonHowever, the extra effort took its toll on the mountain, where he began to lose time and ended up crossing the finish line at 3’38 “.
“I feel really disappointed after today, I fell twice, once at the beginning of the Col de Turini and the other on the descent closer to the finish line. The first fall hurt more because it felt a little stronger even though the second was going faster, but I slipped. But the doctor said that everything is fine, I have a little pain in my knee, it is a little swollen, but it is normal, I just hope that he will recover quickly in the next few days, “said the Colombian cyclist after finishing the stage.
In the last kilometers, the Colombian could not keep up with the peloton that was squeezing the escapees (Alaphilippe, Hirschi and Yates) so he began to lower himself. At his side was Hugh Carthy, who said, “We went back to the group without any problem. Of course, we had to expend a lot of energy. Then we hit the climb and we were both a little on edge. I told Dani to take it as it is and go to the finish line. As long as it’s okay, that’s the main thing. ”
Charly Wegelius, team director, regretted the falls of Daniel Felipe Martínez, but highlighted the work of Carthy that helped the cyclist to cut time, also highlighted what was done by Sergio Andrés Higuita who arrived in the top 5.
“Unfortunately Dani Martínez fell twice and the chase cost him a lot of energy. Nonetheless, the team did a very good job and Hugh Carthy did an excellent job bringing Dani back. Sergio was in the top five, which is a good way to start the tour on such a difficult stage“, he claimed.
Sergio Higuita in the top five on the stage
The Colombian cyclist crossed the finish line in fifth place, after having managed to close the gap with the escapees. Even though they failed to catch Alaphilippe a few meters before, He highlighted the team’s work and stated that they are “happy” in the Tour de France.
“When we were on the circuit we were already wearing a lot of wear, the three who came in front came far superior. There was a stoppage in the lot which reduced the chances of winning the stage, but we were in the fight and we are happy to be here on the Tour. “
