This is not the case in the fairy tale either: Vengegard, Disneyland, Helicopter, and Gilbert’s Fear

Perhaps more interesting than the results are Wenggard’s absence and Philippe Gilbert’s reaction.

Vingguard Because he did not come to Pavillon Gabriel even though he and his family traveled to Paris in the last few days due to the tour route being shown on Wednesday.

It happened months ago, Dane rented a restaurant on Tuesdays at Disneyland and invited his extended family and friends from Denmark to celebrate the successful year there. Canceling or rescheduling this would not have been considered very ethical towards the invitees on the one hand, and would have cost a significant amount of money on the other hand.

According to reports, the organizers of the awards ceremony offered to send him a private helicopter to Disneyland and then return him to the ceremony as soon as possible after the awards ceremony, but Vingegaard refused. Incidentally, this was the first time since the creation of the Vélo d’Or in 1992 that the winner did not receive the trophy in person – just as Vinggaard became the first Dane to receive the award. Bicycle magazine An international jury of journalists named him the best cyclist of the year.

“The Vélo d’Or is a great honor for me. I see the names of people who have received the award in the past and it makes me crazy to know that I am one of them. Eddy Merckx was going to give this award to me personally, it’s very special. He is a true icon and I strive to do what he does: win every race I can. I am very happy with the award, thank you!“, he said in a video message.

Vingguard Remco Evenepoel, Tade Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, Mads Pedersen, Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aart, Jasper Philipsen, Adam Yates And Matthew van der Buelt I preceded him. The latter was awarded the Best Classic Competitor award in the new men’s category, but, like Wengegaard, he was unable to participate in Paris in person.

“What do you think of the Vélo d’Or jury’s decision? Matteo won the cyclocross world championship, Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix and finally the road world championship. What else did he have to do to be the best of the year?”

As for women, the Tour champion is Dutch Demi Fullering He became the best of the year, because of the Classics, world champion, winner of Flanders, runner-up of the Tour Lotte Copkit Give a prize.

He is also present as a guest of honour Bernard Hinault For the best French road racer of the year, By Christophe Laporte He gave recognition, while to women Pauline Ferrand Prévot He became the winner of the Trophée Daniel Morelon, which combines mountain bike, BMX and track disciplines.