El Pistolero said:
Yes, I'm not denying he wasn't right, but an interviewer asked him about what happened with him and the president and he said "Was he the president?" or something among those lines.
He also bumped into against the president by the way, and the president said sorry if I recall correctly. It's not like Sarkozy did something oh so bad here lol. But I can definitely understand VdB's reaction after a long day of racing. He was also mad that he lost a few seconds to Gesink lol.
Have to correct you on this one.
Saw the thing myself on Sporza and I think you misinterpreted it. Ofcourse he was aware it was the president.
The reporter asked if JVdB had an incident with the president to which JVdB answered "Yes, well if he's standing in my way I'm going to ride over him"
'It's as simple as that?'
"If he's coming to the Tour he has to make sure he makes room for the riders!"
'You were mad at him?'
"Well yes, I don't even know the guy"
He meant that last line as in know the president personally.
Besides, I'm fortunate enough to live 5k from Morkhoven, where JVdB grew up. Spoke to him last winter through mutual friends, I play football at a local team here and he seems to have some friends at Noordstar where he attended the football game when we played them. Didn't even notice him until a teammate pointed him out. He was laughing and enjoying himself and you wouldn't even consider him as a topathlete until you saw his tall slim figure and the fact he was the only one among his friends that wasn't drinking a Stella Artois. He's just a very down to earth guy who loves cycling but not all the extra duties such as PR which comes along with the profession. I can understand the guy because some of these reporters don't even try to pose interesting questions but read of the lines they made up in advance without listening to the answers the riders give them. I'd be frustrated to after delivering a top-performance for 6hours and immediatly being questioned by a reporter who isn't interested in doing his job the best he can.