Vingegaard Suffers Injury, Exits Tour de France

Jonas Vingegaard faces surgery for a fractured collarbone after his Tour de France ended following a crash during the 15th stage. The 2022 and 2023 Tour champion was among several riders who fell approximately 12 miles from the stage’s end.

Paramedics escorted Vingegaard to an ambulance with his right arm in a sling. His team, Visma–Lease a Bike, shared that he also suffered multiple abrasions. Due to the severe collarbone fracture, doctors recommended surgery, which will occur in the coming days. The team expressed: ‘Join us in wishing Jonas a smooth recovery.’

Before the crash, Vingegaard placed second overall, trailing defending champion Tadej Pogacar. His abrupt exit dismayed his team. ‘It is devastating that Jonas has had to leave the Tour de France,’ said sporting director Marc Reef, noting the rider’s significant pain.

This year, Vingegaard joined an elite group by winning all three Grand Tours, a feat achieved by only eight male riders. Pogacar, a four-time Tour champion, lamented Vingegaard’s departure, remarking, ‘Without him, the Tour will not be the same.’

During the crash, Vingegaard’s teammate Sepp Kuss and UAE Emirates XRG’s Isaac Del Toro also fell but continued. Pogacar’s group briefly slowed, uncertain if Vingegaard could return, but resumed when they confirmed he was out.

Before his accident, Vingegaard seemed ready to challenge in the final 11-kilometer climb up Plateau de Solaison. ‘We had two riders in the breakaway and controlled the peloton,’ Reef explained. ‘Jonas felt extremely good and we wanted to go for the victory today. Unfortunately, cycling can be very cruel at times.’

The stage concluded with Remco Evenepoel winning, Pogacar in second, and Del Toro third. Evenepoel moved to second in the overall standings, trailing Pogacar by five minutes. Del Toro is 5:58 back in third place.

In a surprising twist, both Pogacar and Vingegaard underwent early morning anti-doping tests the day of the crash. Pogacar was tested at 5 a.m., while Vingegaard’s occurred at 2 a.m.

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