Cycling: It wasn't boring today at the Tour of Britain. Although the second stage ended in an expected mass sprint, the jury only made important decisions after the race – and rightly so! Edvald Boasson Hagen won the stage but was then relegated. It was even worse for Taylor Phinney, who was immediately disqualified.
Elia Viviani awarded stage two of the @TourofBritain after Boasson Hagen is stripped of his win https://t.co/zjf68H0Zw0 pic.twitter.com/BITit1u8aG
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) September 4, 2017
Boasson Hagen celebrates too early – Viviani is the winner
On yesterday first stage of the Tour of Britain Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) just missed out. He finished second behind winner Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott). Today the Norwegian was allowed or able to cheer when crossing the finish line - but not after that. The jury decided to move Boasson Hagen back to position 109. Rightly so, because he pulled completely to the left and cut off Elia Viviani (Sky). The Italian complained immediately after crossing the finish line and was right. He was chosen as the new stage winner. This verdict is doubly bitter for Boasson Hagen, because if he had won he would have taken the lead in the overall standings. After the jury's decision, the Norwegian showed understanding.
Edvald Boasson Hagen: "I know I closed the door on Viviani, but it wasn't on purpose. I sprinted head down. When I looked up, I was too close to the left barrier and pinched Viviani. I feel sorry for the team that worked so hard. Tomorrow we will start a new attempt.”
The railroad barrier becomes Phinney's undoing
Taylor Phinney (Cannondale-Drapac) was not only relegated, but directly disqualified. The American suffered a flat tire about 40 kilometers from the finish. When he was between the escort vehicles – but just behind the peloton – a railway barrier suddenly went down. Phinney lost touch with the field but refused to accept it. He climbed under the barrier and immediately gave chase. This did not go unnoticed by the jury, whereupon he was consequently excluded from the race. Not good news for his Cannondale-Drapac team, which is currently struggling to survive anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5xezvYW_YM