Johnny Hoogerland’s crash at the Tour de France 2011 undoubtedly year’s biggest moment
Johnny Hoogerland’s heroic performance at the Tour de France 2011 was voted as the biggest moment in the 2011 cycling calendar. A survey was conducted and its results were revealed by a well known cycling website, cyclingnews.com
Hoogerland managed to finish the race even after being badly injured. The cyclist was thrown on to a barbed wire fence by a French media van that caused him severe injuries.
The Dutchman was at the 59th position after the stage 8 final General Classifications and was a strong podium contender.
He was unaware that the 208 kilometre stage 9 will bring the biggest tragedy of his life.
Johnny was in the leading group of five cyclists just 36 kilometres from the finish-line, all the riders were sprinting at the final descent of the stage.
A French TV vehicle somehow collapsed with the bunch. It hit Juan Antonio Flecha of Team Sky who lost his balance.
Hoogerland was the second victim of the accident and was badly injured as he went somersaulting over the sharp fence wires. He was taken to a hospital right after the race and was treated with several stitches.
Despite the severe injuries, both the cyclists managed to continue the race. Hoogerland finished the race at the 139th position, 16 minutes and 44 seconds behind the race winner.
The cyclist considered himself lucky to be alive after the devastating incident and was furious at the media car.
Johnny stated, "We can be happy that we're alive. It's horrible, I can blame everyone but I don't think anyone does this sort of thing on purpose. I think the people in the car will have a very big guilty feeling and they will surely apologize to me and
Flecha...I have three cuts that are about seven centimetres long and quite deep too. I'll go to the hospital now and I think I'll need about 30 stitches at least”.
Johnny won the mountains classifications for six climbs and was also awarded as the most aggressive rider at stage 9 of Tour de France 2011.
Philippe Gilbert’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege victory made him the second favourite at the poll with 5274 votes. Thomas Voeckler secured the third spot with his marvellous performance at the Tour de France 2011.
Johnny’s incident received a total number of 5292 votes and was voted as cycling’s biggest moment for 2011.
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