Taco van der Hoorn's breakaway attempt stopped by protesters: "I don't know if we would have made it otherwise"
CyclingFriday, 16 May 2025 at 03:30
A year ago, we were all worried whether the fan-favourite Taco van der Hoorn would ever cruise the roads as a professional cyclist again. But with today's strong breakaway ride at the Giro d'Italia, have gave us the best possible answer.
With three kilometers to go, those protesters came onto the road," Van der Hoorn told Eurosport. "Suddenly, there was someone in front of me. With a ribbon and who knows what else he had. I came to a complete standstill. I rode straight through them, but I came to a complete standstill, because they completely blocked the road. Then you have to get going again, while you are completely wasted, so to speak. That is difficult."
"It did have an impact," said Van der Hoorn. "I don't know if we would have made it otherwise, I don't think so. But it is a shame that it has to end like this."
On TV it then looked like Paleni had dropped Van der Hoorn, but the Dutchman explains how it really was. "He rode around them, while I was completely stationary. That's why it happened, but apparently it wasn't on TV. He didn't ride away from me. I was just completely blocked, which meant I had to brake hard. That made a difference of about ten seconds."
Protesters spelled the end of today's breakaway
Despite the setback, Van der Hoorn was smiling proudly in the interview after a good day out in the saddle. Having missed a full year not so long ago, this is a massive satisfaction for the 31-year-old.
"It went well. I tried from the start. I followed Tarling. On the hill after that I didn’t follow, that was just a bit too tough. But the moment they were caught, I thought: this is the moment. But then the two of us came out in front. That wasn’t really the intention. But yes, I thought: we’re going to give it a try anyway."
"Did I have an idea whether we could make it? I didn't hear any time differences from the sidelines and I didn't hear anything in my ear. We just rode flat out and saw what would happen. We were well matched and it was a nice duo time trial. I just said to him: we're just going to ride flat out to the finish."
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- He definitely doesn't want red yet. But much of that is probably because he has no confidence in his team.Veganpotter18-05-2025
- I think he's there hoping for the best with his fitness while still having his pipedream of a TdF win. He's not capable of winning the TdF, this is the way to do it while hoping to take the GiroVeganpotter18-05-2025
- I'm not frustrated, I'm simply tired of having to read your bloviating, ill-advised comments in response to almost every article posted on this site. I will grant that at you're not as offensive as some of the subhuman right-wing cretins who feel compelled to display their asinine beliefs at every turn. So you've got that going for you.verve82518-05-2025
- I understand and fully support the protest against Israel's genocide of the Palestinians. However, there is no need to put any riders at risk in protesting this. Any sporting or arts body not kicking out Israel from competition and events is complicit in what's happening in Gaza. You need little moral compass to know the UCI should ban IPT from competing. It's flying the flag for baby killers. For a regime starving 2 million people. A regime that bombs hospitals and refugee tents. It's fkn nuts and repulsive.Matt18-05-2025
- Enigmatic as ever. He only cares about the jersey on one day: the last one. He knows better than anyone what it means to assume too much too soon.RidesHills18-05-2025
- I can't believe he even made it back to the professional level. It's so good to hear his name called again in a Grand Tour. His Tour de France podium speech was one of the most gracious I can recall in many years.
Barney17-05-2025 - Sometimes I am, you’re right. Seems like a waste of time to live life on the toilet. Do you feel better now you’ve managed to unload some of your frustration on a completely anonymous poster?Mistermaumau17-05-2025
- Come on Loren, don't make me wash your mouth out with soap.awp17-05-2025
- I hope they are arrested, promptly.awp17-05-2025
- That's because you're full of shit, per usual.verve82517-05-2025
I understand and fully support the protest against Israel's genocide of the Palestinians. However, there is no need to put any riders at risk in protesting this.
Any sporting or arts body not kicking out Israel from competition and events is complicit in what's happening in Gaza. You need little moral compass to know the UCI should ban IPT from competing. It's flying the flag for baby killers. For a regime starving 2 million people. A regime that bombs hospitals and refugee tents. It's fkn nuts and repulsive.