FINHAUT-EMOSSON, Switzerland (AP) — Ilnur Zakarin hardly had enough energy to zip up his jersey and celebrate upon winning one of the most grueling stages of the Tour de France.
The Russian rider settled for a half-zip and a half left-fist pump instead, leaving the earpiece of his radio dangling from his bare chest, before two helpers pushed him toward the podium ceremony.
"We did a plan for the Tour de France, which was riding with no goals for two weeks, just to stay away from troubles. Then the goal was to peak during the third week to win a stage," Zakarin said after carrying out the plan to perfection.