📸 Van der Poel finishes mountain stage with swollen face after wasp sting

The twelfth stage of the Tour de France was the first mountain stage in the Pyrenees. Van der Poel had already performed brilliantly in the previous days, and in this stage he was again in the large breakaway group. The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck got involved in the intermediate sprint, after which he let it go on the first sections of the Col du Soulor. With his breakaway, he had given himself more than enough time to finish the fast-paced mountain stage.

But it wasn't easy for him. Along the way, probably later in the stage, he had to deal with an insect: a bee or wasp got stuck behind his glasses. It was a dangerous situation, and disaster struck: the former world champion was stung. He crossed the finish line in 93rd place with a badly swollen eye, 34 minutes behind Tadej Pogacar.

It went unnoticed by the media, but on de Avondetappe, it became clear how nasty the sting was. His father, Adrie van der Poel, was there to explain. “He just sent a photo, his eye is a little more swollen. I have to take a pill myself to reduce the swelling. Maybe it's an allergy. I think this is the first time he's had something like this, but the team doctor is there, they'll sort it out.”

The worst was avoided because the eye was left unharmed. It won't be pleasant, but hopefully Van der Poel will be able to start the climbing time trial in Peyragudes without too much discomfort. “It's better not to have it, but there are worse things than a sting from a wasp or a bee,” says Van der Poel's father. The Alpecin star will start late in the climbing time trial: he is still 40th in the GC, so he will appear at the starting line just after 4 PM local time.