Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) experienced a fast-paced crash with less than four kilometres to go in stage 11 to Toulouse during the Tour de France.
Pogačar completed the stage and seemed to have scrapes on his left side with ripped shorts, but mentioned that he was otherwise fine. UAE Team Emirates-XRG has not provided a medical update yet.
“I’m doing fairly well, somewhat bruised, but we’ve experienced tougher times.” It’s been a busy day from beginning to end, and at the end, I had an accident, and I appreciate the peloton for sticking around.
With about four kilometres remaining in the 156.8km stage, the World Champion made contact with Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) and fell, skidding across the pavement toward the left side of the roadway.
Television clips displayed Pogačar striking the roadside curb, but he swiftly returned to his feet with help from neutral service, which aided him in reattaching his chain to his bike.
Pogačar then fought his way back to the rear of the next chasing group, trailing by seven seconds from the group containing yellow jersey wearer Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) and his key GC competitors Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep).
Healy and the yellow-jersey group decelerated, seemingly pausing for Pogačar, and he ultimately caught up right before crossing the finish line in Toulouse. “I was to his right.” However, I didn’t witness what occurred. “I only wish that he is fine,” Healy expressed during a post-race interview.
Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) secured the stage victory while Pogačar finished 3:28 behind in 35th place, matching the times of Healy, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel, thus not losing any ground in the overall standings.
Pogačar halted just beyond the finish line and seemed to have scrapes on his left side along with ripped shorts, while his handlebars and brake lever were angled inward.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG has not provided a medical update yet.
Despite the accident, Pogačar stays in second overall, trailing Healy by 29 seconds as the race progresses to stage 12 at Hautacam.
The incident sparked immediate concern across the peloton and among viewers, especially given that the crash occurred just outside the official 3km safety zone. According to race rules, riders involved in crashes within the final 3 kilometres are awarded the same time as the group they were in before the crash. However, since Pogačar’s crash occurred slightly outside that buffer, it technically left him vulnerable to losing time in the General Classification (GC) standings.
Despite the rules, sportsmanship prevailed. The decision by Healy and the yellow-jersey group to ease their pace and wait for Pogačar was a powerful gesture of fairness in the midst of intense GC competition. Moments like these are rare in Grand Tour racing, where every second can count toward the final podium. Healy’s move was widely praised, both on social media and by commentators, as an example of true class in the sport.
Tadej Pogačar, known for his aggressive style and resilience, had been near the front of the peloton for most of the stage. The crash, which happened during a high-speed run-in to Toulouse, appeared to catch him off guard. His contact with Johannessen resulted in a hard fall, and as TV replays showed, he hit the curb with significant force, raising fears of serious injury.
However, the Slovenian champion quickly proved his toughness, springing back to his feet with assistance and refusing to give in. Mechanics from the neutral service vehicle were quick to help him with a mechanical adjustment—his chain had slipped off—and within moments, Pogačar was back on his bike, gritting his teeth as he chased to rejoin the race leaders.
Even though the fall disrupted his momentum, Pogačar’s determination and the sportsmanship shown by his rivals ensured that he remained in strong GC contention. The fact that he finished with the same time as his primary competitors could prove pivotal as the race moves into the Pyrenean stages.
Stage winner Jonas Abrahamsen, meanwhile, capitalized on the chaos behind to take an emotional solo victory—his first-ever Tour de France stage win. He crossed the line in style, raising his arms in triumph, unaware of the drama unfolding behind him.
As for Pogačar, the physical signs of the crash—ripped clothing, bloodied skin, and a visibly bent handlebar—did little to shake his composure. After crossing the line, he briefly stopped, chatted with staff, and confirmed he felt fine overall, if slightly bruised. Riders and fans alike will now wait for a full medical report from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, though initial signs suggest he’ll continue to race on.
With stage 12 set to take riders to the summit of Hautacam, the spotlight remains firmly on Pogačar, Healy, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel. The time gaps between the top contenders remain narrow, and with the mountains looming, any slip could reshape the standings entirely.
For now, though, Pogačar survives another day at the Tour, thanks to his grit and a rare moment of camaraderie from the man in yellow.
