Vingegaard crashes out of Tour de France after pre-dawn doping control visit

Jonas Vingegaard's Tour de France journey ended abruptly on stage 15 following a crash that resulted in a broken collarbone and the need for surgery. The incident occurred with twenty kilometers remaining in the stage, forcing the Danish cyclist to abandon the race via ambulance. His team, Visma - Lease a Bike, confirmed the severity of his injuries.

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He (Jonas Vingegaard) had doping control at 2 a.m. this morning. I started thinking that could be a reason (for the crash). One night your sleep is ruined, you become a bit less concentrated on a descent, and then your Tour is ruined.

The timing of Vingegaard's withdrawal has sparked discussion due to a pre-dawn doping control visit he received. Rival Tadej Pogacar suggested this late-night check could have impacted Vingegaard's focus. "He had a doping control at 2 a.m. this morning. I started thinking that could be a reason (for the crash)," Pogacar stated after the stage. "One night your sleep is ruined, you become a bit less concentrated on a descent, and then your Tour is ruined."

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I don't think you can provide a single clear reason for the crash. It could be bad luck, and they are subjected to incredibly tough hardships.

Kim Højgaard Ravn, director at Anti Doping Denmark, expressed skepticism about a direct link. "I don't think you can provide a single clear reason for the crash. It could be bad luck, and they are subjected to incredibly tough hardships," Ravn told DR Sporten, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of cycling accidents. Vingegaard himself had noted the disruption, telling TV 2 Norge that the 2 a.m. visit was "not ideal" and affected his preparation, even if he initially questioned the timing according to regulations.

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I have to say I did not have a good night. I received a visit from the doping controllers at 2 a.m. tonight, so it was not ideal, I would think.