The court of public opinion is in session. The defendant? One Bryan Coquard, French rider for Cofidis, accused of causing Jasper Philipsen’s abandon during stage three of the Tour de France. The prosecution? Random people on the internet, who think that the Frenchman should be kicked out of the race, possibly tarred and feathered, for his actions.
The facts are as follows: as the Tour approached the stage three’s intermediate sprint at Isbergue, those hunting for the green jersey jumped away from the peloton to fight for points. As the sprint opened up, Coquard of Cofidis was bumped by Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Wanty), and as a result was knocked off balance. Coquard, unclipped, hit Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Philipsen, who could not stay upright, and hit the ground hard. It later emerged that he had fractured his collarbone, and broken at least one rib.
