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He Caught Them Napping TdF25-99
Using Phil Liggett's expression, Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) in his Belgium Champion's jersey had been sitting on the back of the breakaway for most of the day. He was playing 'I am here to help my team leader should it become necessary' card and refusing to pull through in the effort to add more of an advantage in the escape attempt. When the group was finally joined by the four that had been chasing, he saw it as his chance to surprise everyone on a little rise. Attacking from the back, he was already at full speed before the others realized he was going. The first to try and catch him were those who had just worked hard to catch on. After a few minutes, it was clear no one was going to be able to hold his much fresher wheel. With forty kilometers to go it was literally a long shot that he could hold off all of the chasers solo, but that wasn't going to deter him. He had done much the same thing to earn the tricolore Belgium Champion jersey the weekend before the Tour started.