#Watergate: should Bardet also be fined?

The general classification would look slightly different after stage 12 if Romain Bardet (AG2R) received the same sanction as Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) and George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo) for taking on refreshments in the final 10 kilometres.

Rigoberto Uran and Romain Bardet on stage 12 of the 2017 Tour de France (AAP)

Rigoberto Uran and Romain Bardet on stage 12 of the 2017 Tour de France (AAP) Source: AAP

Article 12.1.040/23.2 of the UCI Cycling Regulations states that refreshments in the final 20 kilometres of a stage is unauthorised. 

The sanction for taking refreshments during this time is 200 Swiss Francs and a 20 second deduction on general classification. 
Fines on stage 12 for taking a bottle in the final 10km
Fines on stage 12 for taking a bottle in the final 10km, with a notable name missing (SBS supplied) Source: SBS supplied
But take a look at the video - it's not just Uran and Bennett who take on board a bidon. 

Cannondale-Drapac Manager, Jonathan Vaugthers copped to Uran's infringement and also noted the Frenchman's hand-up.
Bardet won the stage, Uran finished just two seconds behind with Fabio Aru (Astana). And to make it more difficult, all three earned time bonuses, Bardet the maximum of 10 seconds.

Looking at the results, Uran finished 20 seconds ahead of Chris Froome. After his fine, Uran retained his fourth position on GC and kept, rather than improved his 55 second deficit to the yellow jersey, this time worn by Aru. 

Before stage 12, Bardet was 51 seconds adrift from then yellow jersey, Froome. After stage 12, he is now just 25 seconds behind Aru, and 19 from Froome. 

It's not just a question of how the general classification would look if Bardet also received a sanction. There's also the reverse: if the overlooking of such an infringement was consistently applied, and Uran too kept his 20 seconds.  

Either way for Bennett, he would've retained his current ninth position on GC after his time penalty.

Uran however has to wonder what might've been. 

[tdf widget="stagewinners" stage="12"]

 

 

 


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2 min read
Published 14 July 2017 6:59am
Updated 14 July 2017 8:04am
By Cycling Central
Source: Cycling Central


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