‘Sobbing by the side of the road’ – Simon Geschke polka dot heartbreak at Tour de France ‘transcends’ cycling

Simon Geschke (Cofidis) broke down in tears at the end of Stage 18 after he was superseded in the mountains classification. Geschke started the day in the polka dot jersey – holding a 12-point lead over Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) – but having failed to make the break and then trying and failing multiple times to bridge over, he was unable to contest points on the Aubisque, Spandelles, or Hautacam climbs.

Ad/> He finished the day eight points in arrears of Vingegaard. Tour de France‘What is he doing?’ – Pogacar shows ‘devilment’ with last-ditch, surprise Stage 19 attack2 HOURS AGO With just three points available over the last three days of the Tour, Geschke, having held the jersey for nine days, was crestfallen at the finish.

And speaking on The Breakaway, Orla Chennaoui said that the sight of the 36-year-old sobbing after the stage brought into focus the importance of the race. “For moments that transcend the sport and explain, I think to a wider audience, just what it all means for a very different reason.

“Those pictures of Geschke sobbing, by the side of the road, probably summed it up quite desperately, really. “He had the polka dot Jersey since week one, he started the day with a 12-point lead, he finished the day eight points behind a now he will not win it.” Laporte ends French drought with shock Stage 19 win as Jumbo-Visma's stellar Tour continues ‘Riders stopping left and right’ – Race halted as protestors target Tour de France again Dan Lloyd agreed, saying that he felt sorry for Geschke.