Painful Stage for Charmig: Cyclist Hopes for Miracles on Rest Day

Anthon Charmig described his 12th stage of the Tour de France as a mission accomplished simply by finishing, but it was far from a positive experience. The Danish cyclist is still dealing with the after-effects of a crash during the previous day's stage, which left him with significant shoulder pain.

“

It hurt my shoulder quite a bit, I have to admit. That's how cycling is sometimes. Now two hard days await, and then I look forward to the rest day on Monday.

"It hurt my shoulder quite a bit, I have to admit. That's how cycling is sometimes. Now two hard days await, and then I look forward to the rest day on Monday," Charmig stated. He expressed that his primary focus is on enduring the next two stages, admitting he had hoped to feel better by now. "I hope the rest day works miracles," he added.

“

I hope the rest day works miracles.

The crash occurred on the 12th stage when riders in front of him fell, causing him to go down hard. Although initial fears of a broken collarbone were allayed after a medical examination by the Uno-X team doctor, confirming it was intact, the pain persists. "Right when the crash happened, I was quite nervous that I had broken my collarbone. But it's in one piece, and that's the most important thing. I have to try to ride it off, even though it's probably not optimal," he said with a smile.

“

Right when the crash happened, I was quite nervous that I had broken my collarbone. But it's in one piece, and that's the most important thing. I have to try to ride it off, even though it's probably not optimal.

Charmig ensured he conserved as much energy as possible during Friday's stage, joining the group of heavier sprinters and crossing the finish line 25 minutes after stage winner Mauro Schmid. "It was a fast and a bit stressful stage. But in many ways, it was also a simple stage to get through. When the first gruppetto with the sprinters formed, I just followed along," he explained. The upcoming Saturday stage is the first of the weekend's two mountain stages, featuring four climbs over its 155.3-kilometer route.

“

It was a fast and a bit stressful stage. But in many ways, it was also a simple stage to get through. When the first gruppetto with the sprinters formed, I just followed along.