Pogačar Crashes Out of Tour de France Stage, Pelotons Slows in Show of Respect
Breaking News: Tadej Pogačar, the reigning world champion, was involved in a crash during a recent Tour de France stage, sustaining abrasions and cuts to his left elbow, hip, shoulder, and knee.The incident occurred when another rider, later identified as Tobias johannessen, reportedly cut across Pogačar’s path, causing him to lose control of his front wheel and fall.
Evergreen Context: The cycling world witnessed a remarkable display of sportsmanship following Pogačar’s crash. The peloton, upon realizing the severity of the situation for the Tour’s top star, collectively eased their pace to allow Pogačar to remount his bike and rejoin the main group. This gesture was especially notable as the crash happened beyond the 3km to go “safe zone,” were riders typically maintain a high pace. The decision to slow down underscored the deep respect the peloton holds for Pogačar, especially given the competitive nature of the race.
While Pogačar expressed gratitude for the peloton’s actions, he also voiced frustration over the circumstances of the crash. He described the incident as a rider “fully cut[ting] me off from my front wheel,” and admitted to being scared, fearing he might have hit his head on the sidewalk. Despite the painful injuries, Pogačar confirmed he did not break any bones.
Adding a touch of levity and perhaps a hint of lingering frustration, Pogačar made a lighthearted social media post referencing an earlier incident in the stage. during the opening kilometers, Pogačar had stopped for a brief “pee break,” onyl to see rivals Jonas Vingegaard and yellow jersey holder Ben Healy appear to increase the pace at the front of the peloton. While not an outright attack, Pogačar’s post suggested a lesson learned for the remainder of the Tour: “Don’t stop for a pee anymore…” This playful jab highlights the intense psychological dynamics at play as the Tour de France heads into the challenging Pyrénées.
