Jan Bakelants apologises for podium hostess comments

AG2R-La Mondiale rider Jan Bakelants has apologised for "inappropriate" remarks he made about Tour de France podium hostesses in an interview with Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, but says they were made in a light-hearted way.

As we reported yesterday, the 31-year-old, who wore the yellow jersey of Tour de France leader after winning Stage 2 of the 2013 race on Corsica, was asked what he planned to take along for his free moments during this year's race.

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In reply, he said: “A packet of condoms, for sure. You never know where those podiummissen [podium hostesses] hang out!”

His comments led to Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme asking that the Belgian rider say sorry. 

He said: "We will contact his team so that he makes an apology.” 

Prior to Bakelants excusing himself on Twitter this morning, his AG2R-La Mondiale team told Reuters: "We have seen this interview and the answers of Jan Bakelants, who certainly wanted to be humorous, but in the present case it was very bad taste.

"We apologise to the organisers and to those who may have been offended by this remark.”

My sincerest apologies to all those offended by my words in a so called humouristic itw. My words have been inappropriate.

— Jan Bakelants (@Jan_Bakelants) June 29, 2017