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SportsPascal Ackermann abandons Tour de France on penultimate stage due to injury
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German sprinter Pascal Ackermann (32) abandoned the Tour de France on the penultimate stage, citing exhaustion and a knee injury sustained when he was hit by a car on the way to Alpe d'Huez. Riding for team Jayco Alula, Ackermann struggled throughout the race, with a 7th place finish as his best result. He dropped out on the climb up Col de la Croix-de-Fer, with the Galibier and Alpe d'Huez still ahead. Ackermann, who has won stages at the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, has never won a Tour de France stage. He is the second German rider to leave the race, following Florian Lipowitz, who broke his collarbone in a crash during an individual time trial. The Tour concludes on Sunday in Paris, where Tadej Pogacar is expected to win his fifth title.
Source report
Pascal Ackermann (32) has withdrawn from the Tour de France on the penultimate stage. The German sprinter from Kandel was simply exhausted on the queen stage and is also struggling with a knee injury.
Ackermann, who rides for the Australian team Jayco Alula, never found his rhythm at this year's Tour. His best result was a 7th-place finish on the stage from Périgueux to Bergerac.
The Breaking Point
On the climb up the 2067-meter-high Col de la Croix-de-Fer, Ackermann threw in the towel. Still ahead lay the Galibier (2640 meters) and a second ascent of Alpe d'Huez within 23 hours — a nightmare scenario for a power athlete.
"My legs were gone. I've been at my limit for two days and just couldn't get going anymore. Then on Friday, on the way to Alpe d'Huez, I was hit by a car and twisted my knee. Nothing was possible today."
A Pattern of Frustration
Ackermann's Tour de France record remains winless. In contrast, he has claimed three stage wins at the Giro d'Italia and two at the Vuelta a España, the other two Grand Tours.
Pascal Ackermann before the Tour start in Barcelona. He could still laugh then. Photo: WITTERS
Earlier German Exit
Ackermann is the second German rider to leave the race. Florian Lipowitz (25) abandoned on Tuesday during the individual time trial after crashing and suffering a broken collarbone. The best German professional underwent surgery the same evening and has since returned home to Austria.
What's Next for Ackermann
As recently as Friday, Ackermann appeared in good spirits, posting photos of the climb to Alpe d'Huez where he involuntarily came into contact with spectators — nearly running over a fan's backside. However, the agony of the 21 switchbacks proved too great, especially while injured.
He may now take several days off before competing in one or two post-Tour criteriums. His next racing schedule remains open. Ackermann is a teammate of German champion Felix Engelhardt (25), who is currently the best-placed German rider in the Tour.
Tour Finale
The Tour de France concludes on Sunday evening on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Barring a crash, Tadej Pogacar (27, Slovenia) will be crowned Tour winner for the fifth time.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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German Cyclist Pascal Ackermann Withdraws from Tour de France Due to Injury