The big start of the Tour de France is a party that Jan Hirt did not enjoy. The Czech rider fell before the actual start because of a spectator’s bag, according to France Télévisions. Patrick Lefevere, boss of the Soudal Quick-Step team, recounted the scene in his own way on his X account.
“There are 100 rules for the team but a (person) with a backpack made Jan Hirt fall between the signings and the bus. 3 broken teeth,” thundered the Belgian, decorating his post with three red emojis to illustrate his anger.
There 100 rules for the team but one with backpack made crashing jan Hirt between the signings and the bus. 😡😡😡.
3 teeth broken pic.twitter.com/gth0T4AqDH— Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) June 29, 2024
Lefevere published the photo of his runner’s face. We see the two central and upper incisors are badly damaged, while his upper lip is also scratched.
For only his second participation in the Grande Boucle, the 33-year-old runner is off to a very bad start to his adventure. In 2020, he finished in 67th place overall with the CCC Team. Eighth in the last Tour of Italy, the Czech is supposed to lend a hand to his leader Remco Evenepoel, but this accident risks not making his start easier, while the inaugural stage in Florence promises to be extremely trying.
