Leader Pogacar encounters a setback, yet he expeditiously carries on with his tour
In a thrilling turn of events at the 2025 Tour de France, Tadej Pogačar narrowly avoided a significant setback during the eleventh stage. Despite crashing in the final moments of the race, the Slovenian rider managed to remain second overall, with his main rivals showing sportsmanship by slowing down to allow him to rejoin the leading group[1][3].
The incident occurred about 4km from the finish line in Toulouse when Pogačar touched wheels with a rider who cut across without seeing him, causing him to fall at high speed. Although shaken, Pogačar sustained only minor skin injuries and was able to continue the race, describing himself as "a bit beaten up" but resilient[1].
The crash took place just outside the 3km "safety zone," meaning time losses could have been factored into the general classification. However, Pogačar's main rivals in the race showed a commendable display of sportsmanship by slowing down to allow him to rejoin the leading group and finish together with them[1][3]. This gesture preserved the integrity of the overall standings despite the incident.
The timing of the crash is significant because it happened right before the race’s first high-altitude summit finish (Stage 12 at Hautacam), a crucial point in the competition that often shakes up the general classification. There are questions about whether the crash might leave Pogačar vulnerable in the mountains or if he will recover fully to continue his challenge for the yellow jersey[2].
Meanwhile, the stage win went to Jonas Abrahamsen, who secured his first stage win at the Tour de France in a sprint finish of a leading group after an intense ride through southern France. Abrahamsen and his fellow rider, Stefan Schmid, worked tirelessly to keep prominent pursuers, including Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, at bay on the steep climb to the Col de Pech David[4].
Mathieu van der Poel showed his aggressive spirit, attempting a powerful attack, but fell short of Abrahamsen by a few seconds in the sprint finish. Florian Lipowitz also displayed strong form during the stage, initially pursuing after being caught off guard, but ultimately succeeding[5].
The stage, which was 180.6 kilometers long with four categorized climbs, was a merciless elimination race, with many teams showing a heightened interest in winning. The hottest phase of the tour has not started yet, with Thursday being the first day of the more demanding mountain stages[6].
The race in Toulouse was not without its unusual moments. A streaker caused chaos at the finish area, adding an unexpected twist to an already exhilarating day[7].
In the overall standings, Ben Healy continues to lead, with a 29-second advantage over Pogačar. Jonas Vingegaard, who showed signs of aggression at times during the stage, is 1:46 minutes behind Healy[8].
As the race heads into the more demanding mountain stages, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Pogačar bounces back from his crash or if this incident shifts the momentum in the competition. The first high-altitude summit finish at Hautacam promises to be a critical turning point in the race.
The Commission, acknowledging the importance of both sports and environmental protection, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive that emphasizes the need to safeguard the environment during sporting events like the Tour de France, a race that has witnessed a significant incident involving Tadej Pogačar, who narrowly avoided a setback during the eleventh stage.
Despite the tension and competitiveness in the race, sportsmanship was shown by Pogačar's main rivals, who slowed down to allow him to rejoin the leading group and finish the race together, preserving the integrity of the overall standings and demonstrating that sports and sportsmanship can go hand in hand with environmental protection.
