This just in: If you want to ride on the world’s top pro cycling tour, do not cause most of your peloton to crash.
That’s exactly what Bahrain Victorious’ Filip Maciejuk did yesterday at the Tour of Flanders. Around midway through the 169.9-mile “monument” race, Maciejuk cut out wide to make a move on UAE Team Emirates’ Tim Wellens.
It was a miscalculated risk. Maciejuk appeared to keep his balance on his way through a grassy puddle, but then lost it and veered back into the peloton.
Maciejuk rode away unharmed — but he didn’t get far before race organizers disqualified him. Wellens and Peter Sagan, riding his last Tour of Flanders before his upcoming retirement, withdrew. Maciejuk later apologized on social media.
Tadej Pogačar blasted to victory in the race. And despite the drama, riders set a new record for average pace for the Tour at 44.083 km/h (27.39 mph).
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