Max Walscheid is speechless after missed sprint chance: "Motors took it from us"

It was a finale to savor, but after the fifteenth stage of the Giro d'Italia there was also a lot of discussion about the alleged influence of motors on the race outcome. The breakaway riders stayed out of reach of the sprinters’ teams, but according to Max Walscheid, this did not happen in a fair way.

No one expected it, but it really happened: four breakaway riders stayed clear of the peloton during the sprinters’ stage to Milan. By riding very hard, but according to Tim Torn Teutenberg and Elmar Reinders also with the help of motors. And they were not the only riders who spoke out critically. Max Walscheid also let his frustrations run free after the surprising finish in Milan.

"I am actually a bit speechless," began the German – who was leading out for his teammate and sprinter Jonathan Milan in the finale – in his account to Eurosport. "We were really looking forward to this great sprint opportunity. I’m sorry, but the motors took it away from us. It’s incredible," Walscheid did not hold back.

The riders rode exceptionally fast towards Milan. After the finish, it was briefly reported that the fifteenth Giro d’Italia stage was the fastest ever, but with an average speed of 51.064 kilometers per hour it ranks second on the all-time list.

"It is impossible to stay ahead then"
It only raises more questions for Walscheid. "I know what I’m capable of and I also know how fast the other riders rode. I see the figures on my bike computer. I know how hard I can ride in a flat time trial. What we saw here... It’s impossible to stay ahead then. I’m sorry."

"If I’m constantly pushing 500 watts in the last ten kilometers, it’s just not possible to ride any faster. All the sprinters’ teams went full gas. The Rockets gave everything, the Quick-Step guys did the same and we raced full throttle too. And we are really good riders," Walscheid concluded.