Published on : 08/31/2020
In the breakaway group for the second day in a row, Anthony Pérez was virtually wearing the Polka dot jersey when he suffered a heavy fall. With the help of the race’s medical service, he was hospitalized to Digne-les-Bains hospital.
He demonstrated courage, self-sacrifice and honored the colors of Cofidis. The day after a stage in the breakaway, Anthony Pérez resumed the attack this Monday. Objective: to obtain points in the classification of the best climber. Before the start, Anthony was equal in points to the Polka dot jersey wearer, Benoît Cosnefroy.
And Anthony did it. In today's breakaway, "Antho" took the lead at the Pilon and La Faye passes before to slacken his effort. At that time he virtually had the Polka dot jersey. It was his 3rd Tour de France, and could have been his first official podium.
Transferred to Digne-Les-Bains hospital
But fate decided otherwise. After 120 km, on the descent from Col des Lèques, he had fallen victim to the flat tire. Anthony then tried to get back into the peloton. Except that, the heavy braking suddenly brought all of the sports directors' cars to a halt and Anthony, going over 80 km / h from behind, could not avoid them.
While still conscious, Anthony was taken care by the race's medical team. The Toulousian was then transferred to the hospital in Dignes-les-Bain. On site, doctors found an open fracture of the 11th rib, a moderate lung contusion and a pneumothorax. The rider is expected to remain for several days under observation at Digne-les-Bains hospital, where Cofidis team doctor Michel Cerfontaine and general manager Cédric Vasseur have joined him at the end of the stage.
THEY SAID...
Cédric VASSEUR, General Manager:
"This is a very sad news for the whole team. It’s a big injustice that Anthony had to leave the roads of the Tour de France. Even though he has remained conscious and his condition is stable, the medical diagnosis is relatively heavy. He really wanted today to get the points for the Polka dot jersey. Unfortunately, his hopes for the jersey were dashed in a fraction of a second. We all wish him a fast recovery."
Guillaume MARTIN :
“It's been a difficult day for the team with the departure of Anthony (Pérez). Obviously, it’s difficult to hear this kind of news during the race, but we quickly understood the severity of his injury. For all of us its a hard blow. From tomorrow, we will continue to think and fight for him."