Exhausted, Simon Geschke climbed out of the support car, took a selfie with a fan, and then the veteran star said goodbye to the 110th Tour de France.
It’s over and done – his possibly last trip to the world’s largest cycling race doesn’t end in Paris, instead the native of Berlin will be on his way home on Friday. Plagued by stomach problems, Geschke ended his personal tour of suffering on the 18th stage, which Kasper Asgreen used to continue the Danish festival, 73 kilometers from the finish in Bourg-en-Bresse.
“I’m not doing so well. I just couldn’t eat anymore,” said Geschke, adding: “It’s a stomach thing for me.” In the finish area he had already changed his jersey for a bright red training shirt.
“Had no more reserves”
During the strenuous stage in the Alps the day before, he had exhausted himself too much,explained Geschke. “I was alone on the fourth category mountain. Another 80 kilometers alone, especially after yesterday when I was completely empty, I simply had no more reserves.”
The 28-year-old Asgreen caused the next party for the Danes with his victory after 184.9 kilometers as part of a breakaway ahead of Dutchman Pascal Eenkhorn and Norwegian Jonas Abrahamsen. It was the third stage win this year after Mads Pedersen and Jonas Vingegaard. “The win means a lot to me. I had a tough last year with the crash at the Tour de Suisse. I dedicate the win to the people who helped me there,” said Asgreen. In the last week of the tour, a small group could also get through against the sprinters, he pushed afterwards.
A mass sprint was actually expected. Philipsen missed his fifth stage win. The Belgian tried to attack the leading group a few meters from the finish, but finished fourth in Bourg-en-Bresse. The 25-year-old did not initially draw level with Marcel Kittel, who last celebrated five stage wins in 2017.
Geschke only spectators in Paris
Geschke will only follow the final act in Paris as a spectator. The task seemed logical after his health problems. The day before, the man from Freiburg crossed the finish line at 2003 meters in Courchevel, totally exhausted. Only 80 seconds saved him from the time limit. Geschke then vomited on the way to the hotel and suffered from chills.
Of the seven German professionals, only five are still in the race. On Wednesday, Phil Bauhaus, who had previously celebrated three podium finishes in the sprint stages, gave up exhausted. “The tour was brutally difficult this year. I would have liked to have arrived in Paris with him,” said teammate Nikias Arndt.
As expected, nothing changed at the top of the overall standings. Denmark’s defending champion Jonas Vingegaard is still 7:35 ahead of his rival Tadej Pogacar after his strong performances in the Alps. With three remaining stages to Paris, the 26-year-old can probably only win the Tour if he falls.
After the preliminary decision, Vingegaard’s home town of Glyngöre is planning the big party: “Breaking news! Jonas Vingegaard’s celebration in Glyngöre will take place on Thursday, July 27th, 2023! The program will follow later!” said a Facebook group in the Jutland town on Thursday.
Vingegaard colleague leaves tour prematurely
Vingegaard colleague Wout van Aert would also have been a promising candidate for the day’s win on Thursday. However, the Belgian did not even start. Vingegaard’s helper left the circuit before the 18th leg. The reason: His wife Sarah is expecting the second child.
On Friday, the escapees hope for their last chance in the 19th stage. For the professional cyclists, it’s the hilly 172.8 kilometers between Moirans-en-Montagne and Poligny in the Jura Mountains. At the end of the section, a long straight awaits the drivers. Such routes suit the German mountain specialist Georg Zimmermann. However, after almost three weeks of touring, the reserves of strength of the pros are almost exhausted. On Saturday there is still a demanding mountain stage in the Vosges.
