Hinault Defends Coquard Against Online Harassment After Tour de France Crash
Bernard Hinault publicly defends Bryan Coquard amid online harassment after a Tour de France crash.
Key Points
- • Bryan Coquard faced online harassment after a crash involving Jasper Philipsen.
- • Bernard Hinault criticized anonymous online critics and called for direct confrontation.
- • Cédric Vasseur defended Coquard, labeling the penalties as overly harsh.
- • Philipsen suffered significant injuries due to the crash.
In the wake of a crash during the Tour de France that led to Jasper Philipsen's withdrawal, cyclist Bryan Coquard has faced intense online harassment. Philipsen suffered serious injuries, including a clavicle fracture and a rib injury, prompting outrage among fans and bettors. In a strong public defense, Bernard Hinault, a five-time Tour champion, criticized the anonymous nature of the hateful messages directed at Coquard. Hinault remarked, "It’s so easy, they are far away and come to insult... Let them come face to face, and we will explain it man to man." This highlights a broader issue of online harassment in sports, especially during competitive events. Cédric Vasseur, the manager of Cofidis, also backed Coquard, asserting that the yellow card he received for the incident was an excessive punishment. Both Hinault and Vasseur called for accountability among critics, emphasizing that true sportsmanship includes understanding the realities of competition and respecting athletes' challenges.