"What can I say? I made a big mistake" - David Gaudu crashes out of Paris-Nice GC after failing to put on jacket

Jai Hindley's 2020 Passo dello Stelvio jacket difficulties remain one of the most entertaining footage of recent years in cycling, but occasionally trying to put on a jacket whilst riding uphill can lead to a crash. That was exactly what happened to David Gaudu yesterday at Paris-Nice, and the unusual incident has taken him out of GC contention.

“What can I say? I made a big mistake, at a time when my legs were still doing quite well. My apologies to the guys I dragged along. I hope there is no damage to them. Tomorrow I will try to get through safely and I am now aiming for a stage in the final weekend" he said on social media following a bad day on the bike.

Gaudu was riding on the penultimate ascent of the day, and at the time preparing for the descent ahead well within the GC group. However trying to put on a jacket for the cold conditions the riders face in France, he accidentally lost control of the bike and took a tumble. With him fell others, including Felix Gall who did return to the GC group afterwards.

Despite many efforts to, Gaudu did not. The Groupama - FDJ leader was second in this race last year behind only Tadej Pogacar, and although the ambitions were more modest this time around, he was still a contender for the Top10. After not being able to reconnect with the peloton Gaudu eventually eased the pace and lost over six minutes to stage winner Santiago Buitrago. He is left with a chance to win a stage later in the week or possibly pursue the KOM jersey.