Tour de France Champion Jonas Vingegaard Injured in High-Speed Crash at Itzulia Basque Country Stage Race – 4 April 2024

In a shocking turn of events at the Itzulia Basque Country stage race, reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard suffered a broken collarbone and several broken ribs after a high-speed crash. The incident, which occurred on a bend during a descent, also forced race leader Primoz Roglic and fellow Grand Tour winner Remco Evenepoel to abandon the race.

The remaining 35km of the fourth stage were neutralized, with only the six riders in the front group contesting the stage win. South African Louis Meintjes emerged victorious, but expressed his disappointment at winning in such circumstances.

Vingegaard, 27, was taken away on a stretcher and remains in hospital in stable condition. Evenepoel, on the other hand, suffered fractures to his right collarbone and scapula and will undergo surgery.

The crash also resulted in UAE Team Emirates rider Jay Vine sustaining cervical and thoracic spine fractures. Race organizers announced that the stage times would not be counted for the general classification.

With Roglic holding a seven-second lead over Evenepoel after three stages, and Vingegaard trailing in fifth, the overall lead is now held by Dane Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek by four seconds heading into the fifth stage.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that cyclists face in professional racing, and highlights the importance of safety measures in the sport. Our thoughts are with Vingegaard, Evenepoel, Vine, and all the riders involved in the crash as they focus on their recovery.