Vingegaard analyses his crash and responds to Pogacar's suggestions: ‘It's quite possible that it had an impact’
CyclingMonday, 20 July 2026 at 20:41
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleJonas Vingegaard Vingegaard crashed out of the Tour de France on Sunday. The Danish rider from Visma | Lease a Bike hit the deck and broke his collarbone. It was a major blow for him, his team, and the Tour de France. The unfortunate climber has commented on his crash for the first time, and also discussed the possible role of his overnight doping control.
ADVERTISEMENT
Things went wrong on Sunday’s final climb. It was Vingegaard himself who was the first to crash in a turn he had underestimated. Isaac Del Toro also fell, but the Dane came off worst. He broke his collarbone and had to say goodbye to the Tour. He told TV2 how he’s doing now. “I’m doing surprisingly well. We approached a roundabout a little too fast, and suddenly my front wheel skidded.”
There was a lot of speculation about exactly what went wrong in that one turn. Vingegaard considered the role of the motorcycles leading the peloton. “Maybe the motorcyclist made a mistake,” he says. “But we can’t rely blindly on the motorcycles. We have to make our own decisions. People make mistakes; there’s nothing we can do about that now.”
Read also
Read more below the video!
Vingegaard on the doping test: 'It's quite possible that it had an impact'
All morning, the peloton was abuzz with talk of the overnight doping tests for Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar. The Dane was woken up at 2 a.m. to provide a urine sample. After the race, Pogacar drew a connection between his disrupted sleep and the crash. “Maybe you’re less focused when your sleep has been ruined?” he wondered aloud.
Vingegaard responded. “It’s clear that it didn’t do any good—you could certainly say that. Whether that’s the reason, I don’t dare to speculate. It’s quite possible that it did have an impact. But I can’t say that for certain. I don’t want to blame it on that, because it’s a cycling race, and accidents just happen in cycling races. So I don’t dare give an answer to that.”
Now, just as the crucial third week begins, Visma | Lease a Bike must continue without its star rider. He sees his dream of the yellow jersey—after a new, daring preparation—shattered. “Of course, it’s unfortunate that my Tour has to end this way, but that’s just how it goes in racing. Fortunately, it’s only a broken collarbone. I do feel the pain, but luckily I’ve been given painkillers, so I’m okay,” he concludes.
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Lance Armstrong outraged by Vingegaard and Pogačar doping controversy: ‘2AM is a human rights issue’
2026 Tour de France stage 10 preview | Can Vingegaard repeat his Le Lioran victory over Pogacar?
IDL Pro Cycling Tour de France fantasy league results after week 1. Substitutions now available
Adrie van der Poel delivers the perfect reaction after Mathieu’s Tour de France stage win
Could Tom Pidcock have beaten Mathieu van der Poel with a fully functioning bike at the Tour de France?
Latest Cycling News
2026 Tour de France stage 16 Time Trial Preview | INEOS and Evenepoel want to stick to the plan against Pogačar
2026 Tour de France Standings | Here are the official time gaps at the second rest day
20 Years on from 'DisneyLandis', one of the most bizarre Tour de France stages in history, where is Landis now?
Seixas' domestique Prodhomme impresses at the Tour de France, and offers his leader 'great things' in week 3
'Serious and consistent suspicions: 'L'Équipe reports a French judge allegedly approved Pogačar and Vingegaard doping controls
Popular Cycling News
2026 Tour de France Standings | Here are the official time gaps at the second rest day
2026 Tour de France fines & penalties | Pidcock severely punished in general and mountain classifications
Tour de France Route 2026 | Vingegaard's absence only increases podium pressure going into final week
Pogačar's camp unimpressed by Visma's statement on Tour de France plan: 'We’re really looking forward to it'
2026 Tour de France start list & dropouts | Vingegaard and Merlier out of the race on stage 15
Latest Comments
- Testing those two riders, Jonas & Tadej, in the middle of their sleeping regimen was, it seems, a despicable action, regadless of any other considerations. But if it was done in aid of another participant, Paul Seixas, it becomes a monstrous act, a perversion of all the conventions of sportsmanship and fair play. The teams and the two riders, as well as the public deserve a thorough and timely explanation for the dual intrusions. As for the crash, I agree that it was a dangerous turn, which should have been made less so by someone with a flag and a whistle. Full Stop. On the other side, however, is the fact that except for Jonas, and the few riders who crashed because of his spill, all the other riders did make it through the hairpin. Again, that doesn't excuse the lack of a proper safety protocol, which should always be the primary consideration.rjb21-07-2026
- Great read, but you skipped over the T/E ratio vs. carbon isotope testing details. That’s key to why his defense fell apart. También, el video de NOS con “The Great Escape” es icónico — goosebumps every time.robert6520-07-2026
- Pereiro’s win still feels bittersweet, but the article’s fair to point out Landis’s role in exposing the wider mess. The USADA case changed the entire era’s narrative. Armstrong’s quote aged poorly; Floyd’s response was surprisingly gracious.breakawaybikerd20-07-2026
- Wait, so how did whiskey make a test show “too much testosterone”? Is that actually possible or just an excuse he tried? And what does “excessive testosterone” mean in cycling terms — ratio or absolute value?tourdeforce920-07-2026
- Small correction: it’s Levi Leipheimer, not “Lepheimer.” Otherwise cracking recap. Also Botero and Gutierrez being yanked really did leave Phonak too thin to control yellow. You can see why they played the long rope with Pereiro.raceready720-07-2026
- Wild to think it’s been 20 years. Stage 17 to Morzine was pure madness — attacking on the Saisies with 130k to go, then holding ~6 minutes at the line in that heat? Even now it reads like science fiction. Good context on how Phonak let Pereiro up the road in Stage 13; people forget that chess move set the board.gearguru3320-07-2026
- - Great article, but slight nit: Naesen says “no one is going to take it at 11 p.m.” Are we sure? Teams plan everything down to the minute. If the window is 3 hours, wouldn’t late evening actually be logical? Parece un poco contradictorio, no?davidm20-07-2026
- - Sorry, maybe a basic question: why would they test for growth hormones at night specifically? Is it because it clears in a few hours, or do riders take it before sleep? Little confused on the timing.tourdeforce920-07-2026
- - Terrible that Vinge is out after that crash. Still, can we be sure the late test had zero effect on recovery and focus the next day? Sleep disruption matters at this level. The authorities should publish their rationale.breakawaybikerd20-07-2026
- - Quick one: if the French agency can do night tests “when suspected,” what exactly triggered suspicion here? Feels selective if only Pog and Jonas got the knock. Bit unfair, no?cyclechamp4520-07-2026
Loading
