Remco Evenepoel's wife details horrible experience after not being able to see podium celebration: "I was so scared, started crying and turned around because I couldn’t go any further"

Podium celebrations always gather a lot of press, photographers, officials, guests and plenty fans wanting to watch the day's winner and jersey wearers. At the Tour de France you can expect this spectacle to be as large as ever but this becomes an issue for some. Remco Evenepoel's wife has shared her difficult experience following the Belgian rider's victory on the time-trial this past Friday.

“Go the Tour de France they said. It would be fun they said. I wanted to catch a glimpse of my husband, because I knew he would look for me. But I was so scared, started crying and turned around because I couldn’t go any further," Oumi Rayane shared on her Instagram stories. “I just want to show you a little bit of what it really is like. Because a lot of people think that visiting the race is all fun and games. Of course, there are a lot worse things happening in the world right now. But if you don’t see me at races anymore, this is why.”

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In the footage shared it was possible to see plenty people moving all around and she was not able to be either in a single position or untouched. “I’m tired of being pushed by the crowd. Receiving these ‘coups’ (punches or kicks in French, ed.) when I try to pass," she admit. "Having to jump over the beams to see my husband on the podium after his first stage win in the Tour. Feeling like I’m doing something criminal." The ultimate result was that she could not see the ceremony, and Evenepoel could not see her either. 

Although the situation was somewhat fixed later, it was a reason for criticism from Oumi who is not sure she will continue to attend podium ceremonies, at least in the Tour. Eventually a plan was sketched up so that they could still meet before she would return home to Belgium. “My poor husband didn’t want to leave without seeing me, so he stopped in a parking lot on his way to his next destination. I’m grateful that I was able to talk to him for two minutes, but he shouldn’t be worried about this".

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Screenshot from one of Oumi Rayane's Instagram stories