Tour de France 2021: Eddy Merckx skritizoval van der Poela

TdF: Another loss! The overall leader from the first week also withdraws from the race
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Van der Poel spent six days in a yellow jersey for the leader of the overall standings, but after the 8th stage he preferred to prepare for the Olympic Games.

“I couldn’t do that. When you start a stage race, you can’t ride with the knowledge that you’ll resign someday. He’s preparing for the Olympics completely differently. This isn’t good for cycling.” according to the DPA, stated the five-time TdF champion and historical leader in the number of stage victories on the Tour.

The 26-year-old Dutchman is interested in fighting for a gold medal in mountain biking in Tokyo. “He made his own calendar. No one forced him to put everything on himself,” recalled the 76-year-old legendary Merckx.