Talansky 1, Broom Wagon 0
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American Andrew Talansky turned himself inside out to finish within the time cut on stage 11 of the Tour de France today. Still suffering from multiple crashes in recent days, the American woke up with severe back pain and struggled throughout much of Wednesday’s stage from Besancon to Oyonnax.
At one point, already dropped from the fast-moving peloton, Talansky pulled to the side of the road.
While some, including the official Tour de France Twitter editor, reported that he quit the race …
.@andrewtalansky abandonne / @andrewtalansky quits #TDF pic.twitter.com/kFZGtbjfV6
— Le Tour de France (@letour) July 16, 2014
… he listened to team director Robbie Hunter, who provided encouragement and a dose of reality with more than an hour of riding remaining.
Here’s the exact moment @andrewtalansky did not abandon the Tour de France. #TdF #PitBull https://t.co/l6RskEQ1ar — peloton magazine (@pelotonmagazine) July 16, 2014
Not about to exit via the team car, Talansky soldiered on alone, the broom wagon menacing behind.
In the end, he finished within the time cut and will reassess after another night of rest and recovery.
It’s tough to keep a good man down. @andrewtalansky of @Ride_Argyle Pit Bulling it. #TdF https://t.co/cQo0waMibr — peloton magazine (@pelotonmagazine) July 16, 2014
Talansky 1, broom wagon 0.
Talansky 1, broom wagon 0. #TdF https://t.co/vQh2AAE6BH
— peloton magazine (@pelotonmagazine) July 16, 2014