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Early Tour de France crashes force top riders to withdraw

The early stages of the Tour de France have been marred by crashes, forcing top riders, including sprint leader Jasper Philipsen, to withdraw.

Despite safety measures introduced by cycling's governing body, the UCI, the high risk remains as riders push boundaries in the sport's biggest event.

Philipsen crashed at 61 kilometres per hour during an intermediate sprint and suffered a displaced collarbone fracture and at least one broken rib, requiring surgery, his team said in a post on X.

Two-time world champion Filippo Ganna and Swiss time-trialist Stefan Bissegger have also pulled out following crashes.

Sprinter Phil Bauhaus, who finished third on the third stage in Dunkirk, said the Tour is one of the biggest achievement for a professional cyclist, which is why the willingness to take risks is extremely high.

Red Bull sports director Rolf Aldag said that the first week of the tour is probably the most dangerous because each cyclist thinks he can make history. As the pecking order becomes apparent in the second and third weeks, you may say athletes pull back and slow down.

The UCI had previously introduced measures such as yellow cards — two warnings in a race lead to a seven-day suspension, and three yellow cards within 30 days result in a 14-day suspension.

Red Bull's Primoz Roglic and Florian Lipowitz have so far avoided major crashes. Aldag said that, while 30 seconds won't decide the Tour, a bad crash will.

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