Tour de France: Zimmermann finishes second on stage 10
DPA
· 11.07.2023
Georg Zimmermann entered the team bus disappointed after crossing the finish line and was not really happy about his second place.
Zimmermann disappointed about missing out on stage win at Tour de France 2023
In a heatwave battle in the French Massif Central, the German professional cyclist from the Belgian team Intermarche-Circus-Wanty narrowly missed out on the stage win on the 10th stage of the 2023 Tour de France. "The disappointment of missing the biggest goal of my career is currently greater than the joy of second place," said Zimmermann.
On the 167.2-kilometre section of the Tour de France 2023 between the Vulcania volcano theme park and Issoire, the 25-year-old from Augsburg was only beaten by the Spaniard Pello Bilbao in the sprint of a breakaway group on Tuesday. In temperatures of up to 43 degrees and an undulating course with more than 3,000 metres of climbing, Australian Ben O'Connor took third place.
Stage winner Bilbao praised Zimmermann
"I pedalled too hard, that was perhaps a mistake," lamented Zimmermann, standing sweaty in sandals in front of the bus. "I knew Bilbao was fast, I've already lost a sprint against him in Stuttgart," he added. The heat-resistant Bavarian launched an attack just under a kilometre before the finish, but was overtaken by Bilbao.
Winner Bilbao praised the German's attack. "I waited for the right moment until everyone was at the limit," explained the 33-year-old from Team Bahrain-Victorious. He dedicated his success to his former team-mate Gino Mäder, who had recently died in a serious crash at the Tour de Suisse.
Best Tour de France result for Georg Zimmermann
After his sensational stage win at the Criterium du Dauphine at the beginning of June, Zimmermann, who is taking part in the Tour de France for the third time, celebrated his best Tour placing to date. In 2022, he had also finished sixth on stage 10.
The Dane Jonas Vingegaard did not lose any time in the overall standings. Last year's winner had lost eight seconds to Tadej Pogacar in the previous stage. The lead before the tenth stage was only 17 seconds. Bora captain Jai Hindley remained third behind Vingegaard with 2:40 minutes, the German champion Emanuel Buchmann is still 13th overall.
Vingegaard and Pogacar continue their duel
After the ascent to the legendary Puy de Dôme volcano on Sunday and the first rest day of the Tour de France 2023, the professional cyclists remained loyal to the Fire Mountains. On the undulating course, the top riders Vingegaard and Pogacar did not allow themselves a breather from the start and chased down a breakaway group after just a few kilometres.
The peloton later split into several small groups. Zimmermann attacked 131 kilometres before the finish and joined a seven-man lead group. Despite the biting heat, he still looked fresh and powerful in the final kilometres, but the exhausting day took its toll on him at the finish. There had been fears of heavy storms before the race, but they did not materialise until the end of the stage. Instead, fire engines drove along the route and refreshed the fans with water.
Next chance for Phil Bauhaus?
The sprinters should have a good chance on Wednesday's eleventh stage. After a hilly start on the 179.8 kilometres between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins, it will be much flatter towards the finish. After his second place on stage 3 and third place a day later, Phil Bauhaus will launch his next attack for a stage win.
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