Monday April 1, 2024 at 9:37 AM
Nils Politt crossed the line in fourth place in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, but was later on the podium. Michael Matthews, the initial number three, was declassified due to an illegal sprint and so the German moved up one spot. “I was already on the bus when they came to tell me I was third,” Politt said on the UAE Emirates website.
Behind the unapproachable Mathieu van der Poel, ten riders sprinted for second place in the Tour of Flanders. Matthews started from far away, deviated quite far to the right in the final meters and would have hindered Politt. “I came at speed and had to brake a little,” the latter says about the Australian’s maneuver. “The commissioner made the decision, but I also feel sorry for Matthews.”
Matthews was in tears when he heard the news of his sentence. Jayco AlUla showed up afterwards CyclingFlits know that they will look at the options to appeal against the penalty for their rider. “We’re going to do what we can. This is not a done deal yet,” said Matthew Hayman.
Four men in the first twelve
For the time being, however, Politt seems to simply go into the history books as number three in the 2024 Tour of Flanders. “Being on the podium of the Tour of Flanders is something special. This is my second time on the podium of a Monument after that time in Paris-Roubaix,” he refers to 2019, when he finished second behind Philippe Gilbert in the Hell of the North.
In addition to Politt, Tim Wellens (twelfth), António Morgado (fifth) and Mikkel Bjerg (fourth) were also in the second group for UAE Emirates. “We deserved this result as a team, because we rode very well, with four riders in the top twelve,” said Politt.
