INEOS leader Rodríguez forced to abandon Tour due to fractured pelvis in stage 17, Vuelta and World Championship also in doubt

Rodríguez was not involved in the massive crash in the final kilometer, which left Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and Cyril Barthe (Groupama-FDJ) in serious condition. The Frenchman was forced to withdraw from the race. The INEOS rider had already crashed earlier in the race. Rodríguez hit the asphalt in a crash that also involved Julian Alaphilippe.

Miraculously, he was able to finish the race, although he crossed the finish line well behind the others. With teammates Thymen Arensman and Tobias Foss, he finished more than 3 minutes behind winner Jonathan Milan (Lidl_trek), but he did not lose any time. As a result, he was still 10th in the GC.

Rodríguez did not get off to the start he had hoped for in the Tour de France, but after falling behind in the first two weeks, the climber gradually improved. On Mont Ventoux, he even attacked for a while, so INEOS Grenadiers had high hopes for the Alps. But all plans can now be discarded, as the team leader will not be continuing.

“Carlos Rodríguez will regrettably not take the start of stage 18 today following his crash in the final moments of yesterday’s stage,” the British team announced on social media. “Hospital scans have confirmed a fracture of the pelvis. Carlos is in good spirits and remains under the close supervision of our medical team. He will now return home to focus on recovery and the rehabilitation process.”

This is a significant setback for Rodríguez, not only because he will not be able to finish the Tour. The Vuelta a España was the second major goal of the former Spanish champion. However, that now seems too soon, as the race starts in just a month. With a fractured pelvis, a start in his home country seems virtually impossible, and the World Cycling Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, are also in doubt.