Asgreen sees Tour chances despite missed opportunity

Kasper Asgreen, a Danish cyclist, faced a challenging 9th stage of the Tour de France, struggling in the intense heat that led organizers to shorten the route by 30 kilometers. The hilly terrain between Malemort and Ussel proved too much, leaving Asgreen unable to contend in the race's final moments.

"I would have liked to compete more in the finals. But I actually feel that my legs have been okay," Asgreen stated. "I still see a couple of chances in the second half of the Tour, so I try to keep my spirits up. Although I am disappointed with Sunday's stage, I hope a good night's sleep will get me ready again."

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I would have liked to compete more in the finals. But I actually feel that my legs have been okay.

Asgreen entered the Tour with the goal of winning stages from breakaways, though he recognized the limited opportunities for his type of rider on this year's route. His inability to stay with the main pack as the climbs began sorted the riders was a significant disappointment.

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I still see a couple of chances in the second half of the Tour, so I try to keep my spirits up. Although I am disappointed with Sunday's stage, I hope a good night's sleep will get me ready again.

He attributed his struggles to the cumulative fatigue from nine consecutive hot stages. "It has worn on the body, and I think that's what was expressed on Sunday," Asgreen explained. "On the second climb, I heard on the radio that there were only 40 men left in the peloton. So, many were suffering."

The 31-year-old rider, who secured one stage victory in the 2023 Tour de France on stage 18 from a breakaway, is now looking to recover and refocus for the remainder of the race.

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It has worn on the body, and I think that's what was expressed on Sunday. On the second climb, I heard on the radio that there were only 40 men left in the peloton. So, many were suffering.