stage one sprint

It was unusual; Boonen exploded to the lead with 500 meters left.
But instead of making a dash for the line, he let up and looked behind
twice as if expecting someone to come up. Then he made a quick jerk of
his bike to the left for no apparent reason. He was then passed by 3 or
four riders who quickly boxed him in and then with 100 meters left he
just gave up pedaling and finished about 13th. At 25 meters from the
end he was slightly bumped by Thor who in turn had just got sliced in
the arm by a camera. But that last event had no effect on the final
standings.

Andre

Andre wrote:
It was unusual; Boonen exploded to the lead with 500 meters left.
But instead of making a dash for the line, he let up and looked behind
twice as if expecting someone to come up. Then he made a quick jerk of
his bike to the left for no apparent reason. He was then passed by 3 or
four riders who quickly boxed him in and then with 100 meters left he
just gave up pedaling and finished about 13th. At 25 meters from the
end he was slightly bumped by Thor who in turn had just got sliced in
the arm by a camera. But that last event had no effect on the final
standings.

Andre

It has been reported that he was struck with an object thrown by a
spectator, possibly something like a waterbaloon. That might account
for what you describe.

http://www.velonews.com/tour2006/det...s/10209.0.html

-RJ

Andre wrote:
It was unusual; Boonen exploded to the lead with 500 meters left.
Andre

Opening your sprint from 500 meters is called a lead-out.

wrote:
Andre wrote:
It was unusual; Boonen exploded to the lead with 500 meters left.
Andre

Opening your sprint from 500 meters is called a lead-out.

Or a "mistake."

-RJ