Tadej Pogačar, the overall favorite for the Tour de France and a three-time winner from Slovenia, narrowly escaped serious injury after a dramatic crash during the final 5 kilometers of stage 11. The incident occurred as the peloton approached Toulouse, where Pogačar fell out of a reduced general classification (GC) group with just 4.1 kilometers remaining. Remarkably, he did not lose any time in the standings, thanks to the sportsmanship of his rivals, who slowed their pace to allow him to catch up.
After the crash, Pogačar emerged with a bloodied arm but confirmed that he had avoided any significant injuries. "I’m quite okay. I’m a bit beaten up," he remarked shortly after climbing into the team bus. His team manager, Mauro Gianetti, echoed this sentiment, stating, "It was worrying, but he’s OK. A crash causes a lot of concern, but fortunately, this one was not too damaging, even at high speed." Gianetti noted that Pogačar is frustrated by the circumstances surrounding the crash, especially with the challenging stage to Hautacam approaching.
The crash unfolded during a moment of heightened tension as riders began to attack following a climb. Pogačar reported that he inadvertently touched wheels with Tobias Halland Johannessen from Uno-X Mobility, leading to a severe fall where he collided with bollards and the pavement. "I was scared when I saw the sidewalk coming up," Pogačar recalled, relieved that he sustained only minor abrasions. "Luckily, my skin is tough and stopped me before I hit the sidewalk."
Johannessen, who played a role in the incident, expressed his regret, stating that it was an unavoidable racing incident. "I think the whole peloton moved to the right, and I just followed the movement," he explained. "I really didn't want him to crash. We all stopped and waited for him, and I hope he’s fine." His sentiments were echoed by UAE Team Emirates-XRG sports director, Joxean Fernández Matxín, who acknowledged the nature of the incident and appreciated Johannessen's immediate apology.
Despite crashing outside the 3-kilometer safety zone—since stage 11 was not designated for an extended safety zone—Pogačar was able to retain his position in the race thanks to the generosity of fellow riders. The peloton, particularly EF Education-EasyPost and yellow jersey holder Ben Healy, slowed their pace, allowing Pogačar to rejoin them. "Thanks to the peloton in front, they actually waited," Pogačar expressed gratitude, highlighting the respect among competitors. "I really appreciate the support from everyone."
Matthews noted that while the race could have continued at full pace, the group chose to prioritize sportsmanship and fairness. Gianetti remarked, "I think cycling showed again that everyone respects each other in the mountains, time trials, and sprints." He also praised Healy for his conduct as a first-time yellow jersey holder, recognizing the value of fair play in the competition.
As the Tour de France progresses, Pogačar faces the critical stage 12, which features the first hors catégorie climb to Hautacam. While crashing just before such a significant challenge is far from ideal, Pogačar remains determined. "Tomorrow is a big day coming. We’ll see how I recover," he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of performing optimally after a crash. "Normally, the day after a crash, you’re never at your best, but I will give my best tomorrow." The UAE team is prepared for the challenges ahead, and fans are eager to see how the Slovenian rider will rise to the occasion.
