Tour de France – Stage 20 – Mathias Frank – I had the legs to defend my 7th place, but with two mechanicals and a crash on the final climb, it was mission impossible –

The final mountain stage of the 2015 Tour de France ended in style at the top of L’Alpe-d’Huez. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) found the strength to take the stage win alone ahead of a fast approaching Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who himself had made a decisive attack on the final climb of the race.  Though in difficulty, Christopher Froome (Sky) managed to preserve a good minute of his lead on the Colombian, therefore retaining and securing his yellow jersey.

For its part, IAM Cycling had a bit more than its share of bad luck on this rapid-fire final.  At the base of the climb, Mathias Frank was hobbled out of the lead group due first to a flat and then to the need for a bike change as a result of a poor wheel change.  And if that was not enough, Frank crashed with about seven kilometers to go when a Swiss flag from an enthusiastic supporter got stuck in his gears.  Finishing 4’38” behind the winner, Frank fell to 8^th place overall, missing 7^th place by a scant 25 seconds.

Sitting on the sofa in the hotel that hosted the Swiss team for the night before the plane transfer to Paris, Mathias Frank accepted his fate with only a small hint of bitterness.  “I definitely had the legs to keep my 7^th place.  But with two mechanicals and a crash on the Alpe, it was pretty impossible.  The irony is that I crashed on account of the exuberance of a Swiss fan with a flag.  Early on, my legs were not amazing on the Croix-de-Fer.  Nevertheless, I still managed to get back up with the favorites on the descent.  Then I started to feel more comfortable.  But I could have done without these problems on the last climb.  Of course there are dangers all along the roads of the Tour de France, but on the climb to Alpe d’Huez, it is really insane.”

Equally sorry, Rik Verbrugghe, the manager sportif for IAM Cycling, was first keen to congratulate his leader before analyzing this decisive stage for the overall classification.  “Mathias Frank was incredible on the Alpe.  In sporting terms, he more than earned his spot in 7^th place for the overall.  When he punctured his rear wheel, we were way behind the road block that was set up by the commissioners.  The neutral cars were responsible for the mechanical aid, but the wheel was stuck into the bike in a way that meant it was rubbing the frame.  Once we managed to push through the block, we were able to change his bike.  On the climb we were still anxious because we saw his crash right in front of us because a Swiss supporter was just a bit too enthusiastic.  Fortunately, he was quickly back up on his bike and found his rhythm.  But considering there is only 25 seconds separating him and 7^th place, it is pretty close.  Mathias has proven himself to be among the best in a grand tour, and 8^th place is a nice reward not only for him, but also for the team.”