"This really should have been for Frank van den Broek" - Stef Clement disagrees with Tour stage and yellow going to veteran Bardet
CyclingSunday, 30 June 2024 at 10:51
Stef Clement has lashed out at dsm firmenich-PostNL in his Tour de France commentary for NOS. According to the former cyclist, the Dutch team should have let the young Frank van den Broek win the stage in Rimini instead of veteran Romain Bardet.
Clement shook his head at the finish when Bardet and Van den Broek crossed the finish line together, with the Frenchman in front. "This really should have been for Frank van den Broek," he said irritated. "I don’t care if no one at dsm-firmenich PostNL wants to talk to me anymore, but this victory really should have been given to the 23-year-old Van den Broek. He deserved it, he rode for it himself and he was the stronger one. Also in the final."
Clement points out that the 33-year-old Bardet already his large palmares as a pro, while for Van den Broek this could have been 'once in a lifetime' opportunity. "This is a fourth stage victory for Bardet. That won't change his career anymore. Yes, the yellow, but you couldn't distribute it fairly. Then you should have sent it to Frank van den Broek," Clement believes.
Then Clement turns to tell his young compatriot: "You don't know if you will ever get this chance again, while Bardet has had and taken his chances. He will retire richly. And you could have given your career a mega boost today. Everyone saw that you were the strongest. As far as I am concerned, it is a real injustice, not as it should be."
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Bardet was stronger on the climbs. Van den Broek was stronger on the flat. Bardet was leader and is in his last race, will not get more opportunities. Van den Broek will get plenty of opportunities. Bardet is French, a french celebrity, in a French race. He gives more exposure/publicity to the team. Even the director of the race came to meet him. This is a farewell tour for him and he finally got the yellow jersey that he deserved. VDB got the green and the white and also benefits implicitly, he will most likely get a bonus, a salary raise and a better contract. Overall it is a feel good story inspite of VDB not winning.
Team leader and french race and french rider,you do the maths.
Frank did an amazing ride and more of the work. But would not have made it solo.
Also everyone saw what he did so he has the career boost anyhow and people will remark not only on his strength but also his loyalty to his team leader.
Bardet is the team leader, everyone else on the team rides in his service. that's cycling.