Rider Filippo Ganna quits 2025 Tour de France following a mishap in the middle of the stage race
In a dramatic turn of events during the Tour de France, several high-profile riders faced setbacks in the race's second half. The calm first half of the stage was a stark contrast to the series of crashes that unfolded in the later sections, particularly in crosswinds and technical sections.
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale's Stefan Bissegger and Ineos Grenadiers' Filippo Ganna were among those who were caught up in the crashes. Bissegger, unfortunately, had to drop out of the race, while Ganna, despite a heavy fall, managed to continue after a bike change and an evaluation of his injuries.
Ganna's exit from the race is a significant blow for Ineos Grenadiers, who had high hopes for him in the race against the clock, particularly the stage 5 time trial in Caen. Ganna, who is the Hour Record holder and former World Time Trial Champion, had been aiming to complete his Grand Tour 'set' in the Tour this year.
The loss of Ganna could impact Ineos Grenadiers' strategies, as they might need to adjust their plans to compensate for his absence. The team might rely more heavily on other riders like Geraint Thomas, who is riding his final Tour, or Carlos Rodríguez, who is leading the team's General Classification (GC) aspirations.
Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), Lenny Martínez (Bahrain Victorious), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlAla), Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers), and others also dropped or lost contact during the second half of the stage. The full evaluation of the injured, sick, and dropped riders would have to wait until after the stage.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) and Mattia Vercher (TotalEnergies) collided on the top of the Mont Cassel category 4 ascent, while Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) was another top name in difficulties. Lenny Martínez was visibly not on a great day, and Ganna needed a shoe change due to a damaged cleat and was visibly struggling.
In a separate incident, Benjamin Thomas seemingly skidded on the cobbles and brought down Mattia Vercher. The 2025 Tour de France abandons Stage 1 due to an accident involving several riders.
Despite the challenges faced by many riders, the Tour de France continues to captivate audiences with its unpredictable nature and the relentless determination of its participants.
Sports such as cycling can be unpredictable, as shown by the series of crashes during the Tour de France's second half. Stefan Bissegger of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers were among the riders affected, with Ganna's exit from the race being a significant blow for Ineos Grenadiers in the time trials.
