Johnny Hoogerland surrenders his polka dot jersey at the end of stage 12
Johnny Hoogerland had a massive crash during stage 9 of the Tour de France as he was thrown over the fence of barbed-wires by a French television car and got deep cuts to both the legs.
With 32 stitches on his legs, Hoogerland decided to call it a day after failing to retain his lead in the mountains classification. Hoogerland was 25 minutes behind and in 93rd spot as he gave away his polka dot jersey to Samuel Sanchez at the end of stage
12, on July 14.
Before the accident he finished four out of first six climbs in the first place and scored on the other two as well and received the polka dot jersey. Hoogerland also received the prize for the most combative rider along with Flecha.
While he was receiving the King of Mountains or the polka dot jersey, Hoogerland could not control his emotions of what has happened to him that day. Jean-Francois Pescheux who is the director for 2011 Tour de France, apologised on behalf of Amaury Sports
Organization (ASO).
Hoogerland still hopes to continue the race even after several injuries. Dutchman after the accident has successfully defended his polka dot jersey for three stages. He finally had to surrender it at the end of stage 12.
“The Tour de France has been a dream of mine for ten years” as he said “I have to keep smiling. I’m still in the race, so why would I cry?”
The 28-year-old put up a good fight to retain his KOM classification as he attacked the day’s opening climb, but failed to maintain the lead. He explained that he was not bothered by his injuries but his body will recover slowly.
“No, the wounds weren’t the problem, I felt good today." Hoogerland said, “Matter of the fact I’m just missing a little power now. I think the body is recovering and it needs to recover. I need to recover to be a little better.”
The Dutchman explained how winning the polka dot jersey was like a aspiration coming to life, though he was in great pressure as he was recovering from the wounds and hopes that he will recover soon.
Hoogerland admits that he is feeling weak and tired, but it’s only the matter of few days when he will recover fully and be same as he was in the first week of the Tour.
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