RCUK verdict

Should Peter Sagan have been disqualified from the Tour de France 2017? In real-time the crash looked horrendous, and there was no doubting the world champion’s erratic sprinting line caused Cavendish to crash.

Some have argued Cavendish was trying to force himself through too small a gap, but the Manx Missile had every right to pick that line – the gap only closed when stage winner Arnaud Demare, and then Sagan, swung across the road.

And that is the crux of the issue with Sagan’s disqualification: even Mark Cavendish himself said, in his post-stage interviews, that Sagan coming across him was part of racing. Was what he did any worse than Demare, for example?

Peter Sagan fue expulsado ayer de #LeTour2017 por este codazo a Cavendish en la entrada a meta pic.twitter.com/TPgjBIdzGc

— BesGam (@BesgamCom) July 5, 2017

The big problem is Sagan’s use of the elbow, but the slow-motion replays are more favourable to the Bora-hansgrohe rider than the initial race coverage.

It appears the elbow came out only after the initial collision between the two riders, and was more for Sagan to steady himself.

If it was a deliberate elbow, this would be a cut-and-dry case and Sagan’s expulsion would be absolutely correct. It’s impossible to say that was the case, however, and perhaps the race commissaires should have erred more on the side of caution.

Jens Voigt, veteran of 17 Tour de France starts, agreed with the initial punishment handed down to Sagan, too – an 80-point penalty, relegation on the stage and a time penalty – but not with booting him from the race.

So in my private opinion-the disqualification is too much.I am ok with -80 points in green jersey,last place today and timepenalty for sagan

— Jens Voigt (@thejensie) July 4, 2017

Former Vuelta a Espana winner Chris Horner, likewise, called for Sagan to be reinstated into the race.

Just saw the finish of today’s @LeTour stage. Totally disagree with the decision to DQ Sagan. Put @petosagan back in the race!

— Chris Horner (@hornerakg) July 4, 2017

Meanwhile, Michael Rogers, a former team-mate of Cavendish at Team Sky and of Sagan at Tinkoff-Saxo, criticised the knee-jerk reaction of the race jury.

Personally I believe it was a knee jerk decision taken by the race jury. Yes, he should of be relegated to last, but not sent home.

— Michael Rogers (@mickrogers) July 5, 2017

On the topic of the race jury, Axel Merckx – now in charge at under-23 team Axeon-Hagens Berman – believes better rider representation is needed when it comes to race-defining decisions.

Right or wrong about today’s decision at the Tour. When will riders be more included in critical decision at all levels of cycling?

— Axel Merckx (@axelmerckx) July 4, 2017

There was some better news to emerge after the stage, however, with British rider Ben Swift confirming he was OK after somersaulting over his handlebars, unable to avoid his stricken compatriot.

Swift said he could not recall a crash like it, having catapulted into the air but landed on his back and avoided serious injury.

Thanks for all the messages about how I am. I am happy to report that I think I got away with that one relatively un hurt.

— Ben Swift (@swiftybswift) July 4, 2017

And Swift’s former Team Sky team-mate, Tour de France race leader Geraint Thomas confirmed he too was in good shape having crashed in a separate incident inside the final two kilometres.

Thanks for all your messages, I’m fine. So shit to see @MarkCavendish and others badly hurt!! Hope you heal up quick ????????

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 4, 2017

So, should Peter Sagan have been disqualified from the Tour de France? Let us know your opinion.