19 July,2017 08:35 AM IST | Paris | AFP
Australian Michael Matthews hit out at sprint rival John Degenkolb after winning his second stage of the 2017 Tour de France yesterday
Stage winner Australia's Michael Matthews celebrates on the podium after winning the 165 km sixteenth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 18, 2017 between Le Puy-en-Velay and Romans-sur-Isere. Pic/AFP
Australian Michael Matthews hit out at sprint rival John Degenkolb after winning his second stage of the 2017 Tour de France yesterday.
Matthews won a photo finish sprint to claim the 16th stage ahead of Edvald Boasson Hagen and Degenkolb. But German Degenkolb was angered by the line Matthews took in the finish and waved his hand at the Aussie as they crossed the line. He then allegedly grabbed Matthews around the neck in the area just beyond the finishing line.
"I was waiting for the result and he grabbed me on the way past," said the 26-year-old. "The officials saw it. We'll see what the officials will do about it. I don't think it's very sportsmanlike. From my perspective, I don't think I did anything wrong. I didn't change my line, I sprinted in a straight line.
Matthews also claimed another 50 points in the sprinters' green jersey competition to close to 29 points behind Quick-Step's Marcel Kittel, who has won five stages.
