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Primoz Roglic, a key contender in this year’s Tour de France, has withdrawn from the race following injuries sustained in a crash during stage 12. The 34-year-old Slovenian, considered one of the top favorites before the race, suffered a late incident 10 kilometers from the finish line on Thursday’s 204km stage from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot. This resulted in a bloodied right shoulder and a drop from fourth to sixth place in the general classification, losing over two minutes to the leaders.

In response to his injuries, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe announced that Roglic will no longer participate in the Tour de France and will shift his focus to future objectives. The team expressed their support for his recovery, stating that Roglic underwent thorough medical evaluations following the stage and the decision was made to withdraw him from Friday’s stage.

Roglic had also encountered a crash in stage 11, affecting his performance. Despite successes in other major cycling events like the Vuelta a Espana and Giro d’Italia, Roglic has faced challenges at the Tour de France, having withdrawn from the 2021 and 2022 editions due to injuries sustained in crashes.

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The Itzulia Basque Country stage race witnessed a significant setback as a high-speed crash on a descent led to severe injuries for several top cyclists, including the reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, race leader Primoz Roglic, and Remco Evenepoel. Vingegaard, aged 27, suffered a broken collarbone and multiple ribs, requiring medical attention.

Similarly, Roglic and Evenepoel sustained injuries significant enough to force them out of the race. Additionally, Jay Vine of UAE Team Emirates suffered fractures in his cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral bodies, highlighting the severity of the incident.

The aftermath of the crash prompted race officials to take action. With safety concerns prevailing, the remaining 35 kilometers of Thursday’s fourth stage were neutralized. Only a select few from the front group contested for the stage win, with Louis Meintjes ultimately clinching victory.

Despite the competitive spirit, the prevailing sentiment was one of concern and acknowledgment that winning under such circumstances was not the ideal scenario. Meintjes and his team, Intermarche-Wanty, expressed their thoughts and solidarity with the injured riders, emphasizing the paramount importance of the safety and well-being of all participants.

In terms of race logistics, the crash had significant implications for the general classification. Stage organizers announced that the times from the affected stage would not be factored into the overall standings, recognizing the extraordinary circumstances. As a result, the previous standings, where Roglic held a seven-second lead over Evenepoel, were nullified.

The race dynamics shifted, and Danish rider Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek now finds himself leading the overall standings by a margin of four seconds heading into the fifth stage of the six-stage race. The crash not only altered the competitive landscape but also underscored the inherent risks and challenges faced by cyclists in professional racing.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright