BRUSSELS – Frenchman Lloyd Mondory offered his apologies to sprint star Tyler Farrar Sunday after the American missed out on what could have been a first win on the Tour de France.

However the AG2R rider said he was not to blame.

Farrar, who is bidding to win his first stage on the race having already triumphed at the Tours of Spain and Italy, found himself in the perfect position for a win after avoid a series of crashes which took out his rivals.

However in the final 200 meters the Garmin-Transitions fast man was shunted by AG2R rider Mondory, the blow breaking Farrar’s gear changer on his bike.

The American was quick to hit out at AG2R after the stage, won by Italian veteran Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre.

“Everything was going great, I felt good and the team was riding perfectly. Then, in the last 200 meters an AG2R rider hit my rear wheel and snapped my derailleur,” said Farrar.

“I literally couldn’t ride after that and had to walk through the finish and to the bus.

“It’s a shame because everything had gone so well and the team worked so hard for me.”

Mondory was later identified as the rider who clashed with Farrar in untimely fashion, but the Frenchman was quick to absolve himself of any blame.

He said Belgian Jurgen Roelandts came crashing into him from behind, pushing him uncontrollably towards the American.

“A rider (Roelandts) hit me from behind. I’m sorry for Farrar, but I couldn’t do anything about it,” he said.

Ironically, the Frenchman was one of several riders who ended up on the tarmac when Farrar’s big sprint rival, Mark Cavendish, caused a spectacular crash at the Tour of Switzerland last month.

Farrar’s team manager Matth White said they will be looking to relaunch his challenge in the coming days.

“Obviously, we went into today’s stage looking for a win for Tyler. He has the form and the team to deliver,” said White.

“An AG2R rider hit his rear wheel and snapped his derailleur in the last 200 meters. Unfortunately, that’s sprinting. We’ll be lining up in three days time to do it again.”

Article: AFP
Photo: CorVos