To avoid the crash, Lance went off the road and down a steep hill full of dirt and weeds.
I remember that and wondered how/why the TDF didn’t disqualify him because he crossed the land area and didn’t ride around the road. I know it took longer than had he rode but I’d have bet they would have disqualified him. He was lucky not to have had a tire issue then.
Lots of luck needed to win in that accidents, mechanicals, etc are possiblities.
That's a good point, but I think there are some unwritten "gentleman's rules" in cycling.
If a rider near the front has a flat, or needs to answer natures' call, the other riders will kinda slow down and wait, because they know they might need the same favor some day.
So, they probably determined that his crash avoidance cost him more than enough time to make it "fair".
Just as in baseball or golf, you don't "show up" the opposing player...they aren't written rules, but they exist.