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Australian cyclist Luke Durbridge has apologised for shoving a helper from a rival team during stage 17 of the Tour de France.
The Orica-GreenEDGE rider crashed into the Movistar soigneur while climbing in the Pyrenees on Wednesday and tumbled off his bike.
He immediately got up and pushed the man, who’d been handing out drinks to riders.
“I sort of reacted badly – sorry about that,” the 23-year-old, who admitted he didn’t know the incident was televised, told SBS.
“It was sort of a heat of the moment thing.
“But he was in the middle of the bunch, there was no need to be there.
“He was feeding his guys and I went over the top and ran straight into him.
“I guess I gave it to him straight back.
“I was pretty pinned over the front, so I didn’t want to lose position. And then I had to chase to get back on, so I was kinda annoyed about that.
“That’s probably why I gave it some.”
Timetrial specialist Durbridge said he later apologised to Movistar for the scuffle.
Countryman and Team Sky leader Richie Porte later made light of the situation on Twitter.
“Anybody know where we can find footage of @luke_durbridge1 little touch down today?” he posted.
Porte’s British teammate Geraint Thomas also joined in, tweeting: “Another thing I learnt, don’t get in the way of @luke_durbridge1 at the top of a climb… Unless you want trouble!”
HOW THE AUSTRALIANS FARED IN STAGE 17
35 Richie Porte Sky 0:07:38
42 Michael Rogers Tinkoff-Saxo 0:14:17
101 Luke Durbridge Orica-GreenEDGE 0:23:32
108 Simon Clarke Orica-GreenEDGE
122 Zak Dempster NetApp-Endura 0:24:51
138 Adam Hansen Lotto-Belisol 0:27:46
142 Heinrich Haussler IAM Cycling
152 Mark Renshaw Omega Pharma-Quick Step 0:27:46
AUSSIES IN THE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
15 Richie Porte Sky 0:31:00
28 Michael Rogers Tinkoff-Saxo 0:58:22
66 Adam Hansen Lotto-Belisol 2:28:59
109 Heinrich Haussler IAM Cycling 3:12:43
116 Simon Clarke Orica-GreenEDGE 3:16:23
120 Luke Durbridge Orica-GreenEDGE 3:24:22
145 Mark Renshaw Omega Pharma-Quick Step 4:00:07
150 Zak Dempster NetApp-Endura 4:03:00
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