Sports Director on Vingegaard Crash: He Panicked

Jonas Vingegaard's participation in the Tour de France ended abruptly on the 15th stage following a crash attributed to a motorcycle braking unexpectedly ahead of him. Visma team sports director Marc Reef explained that Vingegaard panicked when forced to brake suddenly, leading to his fall and subsequent withdrawal from the race.

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There was a motorcycle in front of him, and he panicked a bit when he had to brake. Everyone had to brake, and Jonas was the first to go down.

Reef described the team's disappointment, noting that they were having a strong stage and were in control, aiming for a stage victory. The crash not only ended Vingegaard's race but also left him in significant pain, especially in his collarbone. "He is very, very disappointed right now. He also has strong pains in his collarbone," Reef stated, indicating a recovery period that could extend beyond the immediate days.

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The whole thing went according to plan, and we were in the middle of a really strong stage. We had everything under control, and both Jonas and the team were ready to chase a stage victory. It is really disappointing that he had to withdraw.

Vingegaard's night was previously disturbed by a doping control at 2 a.m. While race leader Tadej Pogacar suggested a possible link between the disrupted sleep and the crash, Reef refrained from speculation, emphasizing the team's readiness and Vingegaard's positive feeling before the incident.

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He is very, very disappointed right now. He also has strong pains in his collarbone. It is something he needs to recover from in the next few days or perhaps more. It is just really shitty.

The team is now faced with the challenge of navigating the final week of the Tour de France without their two-time winner. Discussions regarding the team's strategy will take place during the upcoming rest day on Monday. The exact extent of Vingegaard's injuries and the implications for his future racing schedule remain unclear.

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It doesn't help to speculate about it. We were ready this morning, and he also had a good feeling during the stage.