Tobias Johannessen ‘Terrified’ by abuse after causing tadyej Pogacar clash
Norwegian cyclist Tobias Johannessen said he was “terrified” by the internet abuse he received after pleading guilty to the overthrow of Tadej Pogacar near the end of Wednesday’s phase Wednesday De France.
Tour Tour champion Pogačar Hit the tarmate late in stage 156.8 km around the toulouse after hitting the back wheel of Johanness.
Slovenian returned to his bike, and his rivals Jonas Vingegaard AND Remco ERSEPOEL allowed them to catch again, limiting the damage suffered by Pogacar.
“Fortunately, I just lost little skin,” said Pogacar, who is the second general in the race, following the Irish Ben Healy With 29 seconds after 11 stages.
Johannessen soon apologized to the incident, but expressed his horror in the “very scary” messages of hatred directed his way.
“I am very sorry for what happened to (Pogacar),” Johannessen wrote on X.
“I was trying to pursue an action, and I could see I was very close. I thought everyone would move to the right, but I did a mistake and I would like to say bad again. Hope he is as good as he could be after such a collision.
“Of course I would like to do it again and do it differently, but I can’t.
“But I wouldn’t wish anyone the amount of threats I get in my box. I’m sorry, but also terrified by hatred by all people. That feels very scary.”
French Bryan Coquard entered for a similar treatment after he was involved in clashes that knocked in Belgium Jasper Philipsen Outside the race in the third stage.
Philipsen, who won the opening phase in Lille, was forced to withdraw after suffering a broken column and two broken ribs, but said he did not blame the coquard.