– Littering is a bit of a disgrace, and if we have done something wrong, then we will take the punishment we deserve, said sports director Kurt-Asle Arvesen to news before the start of Friday’s stage from Mont de Marsan to Bordeaux. There was what was expected to be a mass sprint, but Uno-X couldn’t pull up the last few kilometers to sit. Then it was once again too tough for Alexander Kristoff, and he finished ninth. – At the very end, it was really just that we didn’t get the “flow” out and we had to stand on our toes for the last 500 metres, and then it’s almost impossible to do well, says Kristoff to news. – There are very small margins and we are also a bit unlucky today. But it’s a new day tomorrow, and then I think we’ll switch roles a bit, he continues. Instead, he becomes an assistant rider for either Søren Wærenskjold or Rasmus Tiller. – It’s a slightly tougher finish, so we have to go for one of the slightly stronger guys, says Kristoff. Belgian Jasper Philipsen was again the strongest, and took his third stage win in this year’s Tour de France. Veteran Mark Cavendish was second, ahead of Biniam Girmay. Kristoff: – I didn’t get it But the day started with news being able to reveal that Kristoff has received a fine of 500 Swiss francs, that is just over NOK 6,000. Worse, the team has been deprived of 25 UCI points. MUST PURCHASE: Alexander Kristoff has not had the margins with him so far in the Tour de France. Photo: Reuters – Of course it’s sad to lose 25 UCI points, so we can’t hope it happens today. We hope he is hungry to fix it, says Arvesen. The sports director believes that it is a bit random who gets caught for littering, but emphasizes: – We try to stay within the regulations and do what makes sense in the situation. Arvesen tells news that he has spoken to Kristoff about the topic both on Thursday evening and at the meeting before Friday’s stage. When news confronts Kristoff, however, it may seem that the sports director has spoken to deaf ears. – Why did I get it? asks Kristoff when he is asked about the cure. And then: – Oi, oi, oi, I haven’t realized that even once. Kristoff says about the penalty: SERIOUS TALK: Sports director Kurt Asle Arvesen has informed Alexander Kristoff that Uno X has no more UCI points to lose. Photo: NTB – There were sour points. But there is a bit of litter from time to time. It is difficult to carry Coke bottles and such over mountains. There is not much to do with it. But I take it to where there are people. On each stage, there are several litter zones along the road where the riders can throw away waste without penalty, and that they can throw bottles to the public in the last 50 kilometres. However, it is not permitted to throw away waste outside the waste zones. Fighting for World Tour license The Uno X team, which is participating in the Tour de France for the first time, is fighting to be one of the 18 teams to receive a World Tour license, the highest level in international cycling. It is these 18 teams that are guaranteed a place in the biggest races. In the last ranking, the team was number 20. On Thursday, Tobias Halland Johannessen collected 110 points with his third place on the 6th stage, but after Kristoff was penalized, Uno X is left with 85 points. The loss of points can be fatal in the worst case. The 25 points Kristoff and Uno-X lose are, for example, more than the 20 points Kristoff got for winning the final stage of the Tour of Norway earlier this year. Rui Costa also received the same punishment as Kristoff on Thursday.
ttn-69
Kristoff punished for littering – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
