Axel Zingle refuses to comment on the drama with his manager: "I don't think this is the right time to talk about it"

Axel Zingle was heavily criticised by Cofidis manager Cedric Vasseur for joining breakaway on stage 6. His fellow Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni quickly arrived to support Zingle, but now we finally get (some) reaction on the subject by the 25-year-old rider himself.

Asked by Cyclism'Actu about his manager's statements, Zingle did not wish to address the subject: "I already spoke about it earlier, I don't think this is the right time to talk about it. I am focusing on my teammates and what we can do together, after my problems with the hierarchy, it is not an issue."

For the Frenchman, it's hard to distinguish a favourite for the overall triumph: "Last year, I bet on Pogacar and I was wrong so it's hard to know, we're often surprised by the Tour time trial but in any case I'm going to watch it with pleasure."

The Frenchman also mentioned the stage that will pass through the white roads near Troyes on Sunday: "It will be a fairly difficult stage to read, there will be both the battle for the stage victory and then the favourites who will want to at least not lose time but also perhaps make up some, a puncture can happen quickly. It's a great opportunity for the classics riders."