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Painful
Podium
The stage 9 Tour de France podium presentation was
unforgettably sad. Johnny Hoogerland in tears of pain
accepting the polka dot jersey was a picture of ironic contrasts.
The podium presentations are supposed to be joyous celebrations
where riders are cheered and applauded for their accomplishments.
Kisses from the podium girls, shaking hands with the local
dignitaries, and the adoration of the fans are what the athletes
dream about. Yet poor Johnny couldn't wait to get off the
podium fast enough.
If you don't already know, Johnny was thrown from
his bike into a barbed wire fence with a few miles to go in the
race. His injuries would require 35 stitches - which he
received AFTER the podium finish.
Here is a video of the accident caused by a French TV car.
Johnny is the rider flying into the fence.
And
here he is on
the podium.
My heart goes out to this guy.
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