After three hard days of racing, Team DSM’s Charlotte Kool stepped off the bike during stage four of the Tour de France Femmes. Experiencing fatigue during the hectic and stressful fourth stage, it was not possible for Kool to continue in the race.
Kool said: “Of course, I didn’t want to leave the race like this and also not let my teammates down but sometimes you have to make hard decisions to do the best for yourself in the long run. I think it’s good for me to take some rest now so that I can be back for the rest of the season.”
Team DSM coach Albert Timmer added: “Unfortunately, we lost Charlotte today. I think it is a smart call that she stopped and is able to refocus on the rest of the season, as she has been suffering with some fatigue yesterday and into today’s stage as well. Of course we will miss her at the race, especially in the sprint, but we will regroup and do our best, and we all wish her a speedy recovery.”
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