CHAMPAGNOLE, France — Having ridden nearly 3,200 kilometers (almost 2,000 miles), over four mountain ranges, Tour de France rider Lukas Pöstlberger was forced by a bee sting to the mouth to abandon Friday with the finish in Paris just two days away. The Austrian rider, who has devoted his Tour to helping team leader Peter Sagan in his quest for the race’s green jersey, suffered an allergic reaction to the sting. The Tour was only a few minutes into the 166-kilometer (103-mile) Stage 19, from Bourg-en-Bresse to Champagnole in eastern France, when the insect struck. It also dealt a blow to Sagan in his fight with Irish rider Sam Bennett for the green jersey. Bennett wants to keep the jersey all the way to Paris, while Sagan wants to win it at the finish for an eighth time.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 19, 2020 10:07 UTC