Tour de France competitor from Ineos Grenadiers team forced to withdraw due to a broken pelvis
The final kilometres of Tour de France Stage 17 were marked by a series of crashes, affecting several sprinters and causing disruption in the race's closing stages.
Biniam Girmay, a rider from Intermarché-Wanty, came down just under the one-kilometre marker. Girmay sustained superficial injuries in the crash, which occurred at close to 70 km/h. He held his right arm in apparent pain after the incident and was checked by race doctors. Fortunately, no fractures or major injuries were found, but his recovery will be closely monitored.
Louis Barré and Hugo Page, both from AG2R Citroën Team, also went down in the crash. They received immediate medical care, with superficial wounds reported and no fractures or significant injuries confirmed.
Tim Merlier, from Alpecin-Deceuninck, did not crash himself but was held up behind the pileup and was forced to slow, missing the chance to sprint for victory.
The crash was reportedly caused by a touch of wheels between a Picnic PostNL rider and a Uno-X Mobility rider on rain-soaked roads under the final kilometre. This created a chaotic situation that affected several sprinters, including leading contenders such as Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, who were delayed but given the same finishing time due to the crash occurring within the final kilometre.
In a more severe incident, Carlos Rodríguez, a rider from Ineos Grenadiers, fractured his pelvis in the crash. He managed to finish the stage but will not start Stage 18. Ineos Grenadiers announced Rodríguez's withdrawal on Thursday morning. Rodríguez was in 10th place in the general classification before the crash and will now return home to focus on recovery and rehabilitation.
Despite the crashes, Jonathan Milan was able to win Stage 17 of the Tour de France. The Tour de France continues on Thursday with the first of two summit finishes in the high Alps. Girmay's team is closely monitoring his recovery, and he is expected to make a full recovery.
Sports took a turn for the worst in the final kilometres of Tour de France Stage 17, with several riders crashing and affecting the race's closing stages. Biniam Girmay, Louis Barré, Hugo Page, and Tim Merlier from various teams were among the affected sprinters, with some sustaining injuries and missing chances for victory. The crash was reportedly caused by a touch of wheels between riders on rain-soaked roads, leading to a chaotic situation and causing delays for leading contenders like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. However, the race saw a triumphant victory by Jonathan Milan. Amidst the crashes, Girmay's team is closely monitoring his recovery, anticipating a full recovery for the injured rider.
