Numerous top cyclists injured themselves in falls, Jonas Vingegaard injured himself so badly that defending his title on the Tour is questionable. Technical progress is making ever higher speeds possible – are drivers simply too fast?
There was a bleeding abrasion on his back, a carer knelt on the concrete in front of him and administered first aid, a neck brace and a ventilator. Late on Thursday afternoon, Jonas Vingegaard, perhaps the best cyclist of today, was more reminiscent of a man being carried away from the battlefield, badly wounded. At that moment the only question was how seriously injured this person is – and how he can be helped in the best possible way. The next day the question arose: Can the two-time Tour de France winner compete in the world’s most important cycling race in three months with these injuries?