In a year of much excitement, I put this moment at the top.
Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha had been part of a five-man breakaway that was vying for victory in Sunday’s 208km stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour in the Massif Central.
However the two were hit by an overtaking France TV car 35km from the finish. Vacansoleil rider Hoogerland was sent somersaulting into a barbed wire fence while Team Sky’s Flecha hit the deck at full speed.
Both riders finished the race, with Hoogerland stepping on to the podium, in tears, to receive the best climber’s polka dot jersey.
To watch him climb onto the podium that day was a very special moment, not only for cyclists but for us all. It left a lump in my throat the size of Lance's legal costs for 2012.
Happy new year, best wishes for 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment