Pogacar Links Vingegaard's Crash to Disrupted Sleep After Doping Control

Tadej Pogacar, the current leader of the Tour de France, described the withdrawal of his rival Jonas Vingegaard as "really sad." Vingegaard, who crashed out on the 15th stage, had been a consistent competitor for the win against Pogacar since 2021. Pogacar noted their relationship has evolved from fierce rivals to respectful colleagues and friends over the past few years, emphasizing that the Tour "will not be the same without him."

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The Tour will not be the same without him.

The crash occurred with about 20 kilometers left in the stage, leaving Vingegaard visibly in pain as he clutched his shoulder area. He was unable to continue and was taken away by ambulance. Visma later confirmed Vingegaard had fractured his collarbone and was recommended for surgery.

Pogacar raised a potential link between Vingegaard's disrupted sleep and the subsequent crash. Vingegaard was reportedly woken by doping control officers at 2:00 AM the night before the stage. "You become a little less concentrated on a descent, and yes, then his Tour is destroyed," Pogacar commented. While he stated he doesn't blame the doping control officers, he suggested the two events might be "a little bit connected."

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You become a little less concentrated on a descent, and yes, then his Tour is destroyed. I don't blame them (doping control officers), but maybe the two things are a little bit connected.

UAE team manager Mauro Gianetti also lamented Vingegaard's exit, stating that "Jonas has been pushing the boundaries and made cycling better. He is important for the Tour de France." With Vingegaard out of the general classification, Pogacar now holds a five-minute lead over his nearest competitor, Remco Evenepoel.

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Jonas has been pushing the boundaries and made cycling better. He is important for the Tour de France.