Health-ailing Simon Geschke has given up the Tour de France.
The 37-year-old got off his bike exhausted on the 18th stage about 73 kilometers from the finish in Bourg-en-Bresse. Geschke had already fought his way to the finish just before the time limit on the last stage in the Alps the day before. “Get through. If it doesn’t work, go home,” said the Freiburger before the start to ARD as a motto. In the end, Geschke gave up for the first time on his eleventh tour.
Last year, the climbing specialist wore the mountain jersey for nine days and experienced a fantastic tour. The later overall winner Jonas Vingegaard won the mountain jersey just ahead of Geschke, who was allowed to wear it to Paris on behalf of him.
“Think there’s something wrong with the stomach”
Of the seven German professionals, only five are still in the running. On Wednesday, sprinter Phil Bauhaus had given up exhausted. Geschke crossed the finish line in Courchevel around 80 seconds before the time limit expired.
“I felt bad from the start of the race. I vomited twice after the race, chills. I think there’s something wrong with my stomach,” said Geschke. Nikias Arndt, Emanuel Buchmann, Nils Politt, Georg Zimmermann and John Degenkolb are still in the running.