Pogacar experiences an apology following his fall
In an unexpected turn of events during the eleventh stage of the 2025 Tour de France, top favourite Tadej Pogačar experienced a crash just a few kilometres from the finish line. According to Pogačar's statement, the incident was caused by a rider, Tobias Johannessen from Team Uno-X Mobility, who "completely cut me off."
Despite the fall, Pogačar managed to get back up quickly and resume the chase. His resilience paid off, as he finished the stage alongside the yellow jersey group, thanks in part to the sportsmanship of his rivals who eased up to let him return. Pogačar was left with rips in his jersey and shorts, but only minor skin abrasions.
Following the incident, Johannessen issued an apology to Pogačar and defended himself against hate comments on social media. However, no verified details about Johannessen's reaction or comments specifically regarding the crash in stage 11 are available at this time.
The aftermath of Pogačar's crash did not significantly affect his position in the general classification. He currently maintains a 29-second lead over Ben Healy, with Jonas Vingegaard trailing by 1 minute and 46 seconds.
With the decisive phase of the Tour de France approaching, Pogačar must recover quickly. The first Pyrenean stage, which includes a tough climb to Hautacam, is set for Thursday. This stage could mark the first showdown in the high mountains and Pogačar can no longer rely on the mercy of his rivals.
Pogačar's victory on a long climb in 2022 suggests that the longer climbs could favor him in the upcoming stages. Meanwhile, Jonas Vingegaard, a strong competitor known for his success on longer climbs, could potentially launch an attack during the upcoming stage.
Ben Healy, who currently maintains the lead in the overall standings, will face challenges in the upcoming Pyrenean stages. The upcoming stage is 180.6 kilometres long, with four categorized climbs, providing an opportunity for the contenders to make their moves.
As the Tour de France enters its crucial stages, all eyes will be on Pogačar as he overcomes the aftermath of his crash and prepares for the challenges ahead.
Sources: ntv.de, ses/sid.
Given the order of events in the ongoing Tour de France, the Commission may find it necessary to deliberate on any rules infringement regarding Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, as the crash involving Tadej Pogačar and Tobias Johannessen might warrant further investigation. Moreover, the world of sports continues to witness the resilience of Pogačar, as he successfully navigates challenges like the one at stage 11, setting the stage for an intriguing competition in the upcoming stages.
