Thor storm continues
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ByEurosport
Published 06/07/2006 at 17:29 GMT
The directeur sportifs of Française de Jeux and Crédit Agricole argued about Thor Hushovd's belated demotion from stage 4 of the Tour on Thursday. The Norwegian sprinter was penalised after he almost drove FdeJ rival Bernhard Eisel into the barriers durin
CYCLING 2006 Tour de France stage 3 Thor Hushovd
Image credit: Reuters
Television replays clearly show former yellow jersey Hushovd of Crédit Agricole dangerously veering over to the left of the road in the wake of team-mate Julian Dean's crash in the finishing straight on Wednesday.
As there was a small break in the barriers on the left of the road, Hushovd's reckless actions - which also involved an earlier elbow to Eisel's ribs - could have sent German rider headlong into the metal fence and the awaiting spectators.
Such a crash at top speed would almost certainly have ended the Française de Jeux rider's Tour. What is more, it could easily have been career-ending, even fatal.
Speaking on France 2's Vélo Club following the stage 5 - won by Spain's Oscar Freire - Marc Madiot, directeur sportif of FdeJ, said: "It's clear that he tried to force him into the barriers. We expect more from such a great sprinter as Thor Hushovd."
Hushovd was demoted from 4th place to 148th place in the stage for "irregular sprinting" by the Tour jury. The Norwegian thus loses 24 valuable points in the green jersey competition.
As a result, the 2006 green jersey winner dropped to 38 points behind stage 4 winner Robbie McEwen and 27 behind Tom Boonen, who was elevated to fourth position.
Having seen evidence of his rider's dangerous sprint, Crédit Agricole directeur sportif skirted the issue by telling France 2: "It's a shame that we're involved in a sport that can rely heavily on television replays. Such things do not happen with, say, football."
The team also declared that Hushovd had not 100% recovered from the arm-injury he suffered in the opening stage and said he was also still suffering stomach aches.
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