
Jonas Vingegaard crashed during the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday and had to withdraw from the race due to a broken collarbone. Remco Evenepoel won the stage, while Tadej Pogacar retained the overall lead.
The crash occurred approximately 20 kilometers before the finish line on a roundabout. Vingegaard, who was in second place overall, suffered a complicated collarbone fracture and will require surgery. The incident happened as Vingegaard was attempting to navigate a tight right-hand bend. His front wheel slid out, causing him to fall and land on his shoulder. The crash also involved several other riders and spectators.
The crash has sparked controversy over the timing of doping tests conducted the night before the stage. Vingegaard and Pogacar were among the riders woken up for doping controls at 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM, respectively. Evenepoel, who won the stage, criticized the timing of the tests, calling them "disrespectful" and "inhuman."
"To wake us up in the middle of the night, it's something that actually we should not accept as riders," Evenepoel said. "It's quite inhuman to wake us up in the middle of the night."
Pogacar, who was woken up at 5:00 AM for his doping test, suggested that the disrupted sleep might have contributed to Vingegaard's crash. "One night your sleep is ruined and you can be a little less concentrated on the descent," Pogacar said. "I don't blame that, but could be also a little bit connected."
The International Testing Agency (ITA) defended the night-time testing, stating that it is necessary to ensure the integrity of cycling races. "The ITA is conscious that night-time testing may be disruptive to riders' rest and recovery," the ITA said in a statement. "However, the ITA, on behalf of the UCI, has the responsibility to ensure the effectiveness of the cycling anti-doping program and the integrity of cycling races."
Vingegaard's team, Visma-Lease a Bike, confirmed that he will undergo surgery in the coming days due to the severity of the fracture. The crash has left the cycling community in shock, with many expressing their support for Vingegaard and questioning the timing of the doping tests.
Evenepoel's victory in the 15th stage marks his first win in this year's Tour de France. He finished ahead of Pogacar and his teammate Isaac del Toro. Despite the controversy surrounding the doping tests, Evenepoel expressed his happiness with the stage win and his sympathy for Vingegaard.
The Tour de France continues with Pogacar maintaining a commanding lead in the overall classification. The crash of Vingegaard, who was seen as the main challenger to Pogacar, has significantly altered the dynamics of the race.
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