A high-speed crash during stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France left multiple riders injured, including Caja Rural-Seguros RGA’s Fernando Gaviria, who sustained a broken collarbone and abandoned the race, according to Cyclingnews and Outside Magazine.
The chaos unfolded in the final 400 meters of stage 12, as a domino-effect crash involving multiple sprint teams left several riders with significant injuries. Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) was among the first to fall after colliding with Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), triggering a chain reaction that saw Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), Dorian Godon (Netcompany Ineos), and others go down. The incident, which occurred just 350 meters from the finish line in Chalon-sur-Saône, disrupted the sprint and forced several riders to withdraw from the race.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
The crash occurred as the peloton approached the final kilometers of the stage, with riders competing for position in a high-speed sprint. According to Cyclingnews, Gaviria’s collision with Kooij sent multiple riders tumbling, including Wærenskjold and Godon.
Outside Magazine reported that Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) avoided the crash but was delayed behind the pile-up. While Pogačar and his rivals were unscathed, the incident had immediate consequences for several riders. Gaviria, who was in strong form, was forced to abandon the Tour after tests confirmed a left collarbone fracture. Tests carried out immediately after the stage have confirmed initial suspicions. Fernando Gaviria must abandon the Tour de France due to a fracture in his left collarbone,
Cyclingnews quoted his team as saying.
Injured Riders and Team Responses
Lotto-Intermarché’s Jenno Berckmoes also suffered a broken collarbone in the crash, while teammate Liam Slock sustained abrasions to his elbows and hip. Meanwhile, Netcompany Ineos’ Dorian Godon, who fell heavily after a rider in front of him crashed, was monitored for potential back injuries but did not require immediate X-rays.
Uno-X Mobility’s Søren Wærenskjold, who had won stage 11, was among the most visibly affected. The team’s director, Christian Andersen, told TV2 that initial assessments were nothing really serious,
but Wærenskjold’s injuries required further evaluation.
Pavel Bittner (Picnic PostNL) and Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) also fell in the crash but were reported to be in stable condition.
Impact on the Race and Post-Crash Developments
The crash disrupted the sprint finish, with Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick-Step) emerging as the stage winner. Despite the chaos, the race organizers confirmed that no riders who were in the peloton at the time of the crash would lose time on the stage or in the general classification (GC). Cyclingnews noted that the incident occurred within the 5km “safe rule,” ensuring no GC implications.
Outside Magazine also reported that Vlad van Mechelen (Bahrain Victorious) was fined 500 CHF and received a yellow card for deviation from the chosen line that endangers other riders.
Tadej Pogačar, who finished the stage unscathed, expressed concern for the injured riders. I really hope they’re okay,
he said, adding that the crash underscored the physical demands of the sport. Pogačar, who is set to face challenging mountain stages in the coming days, remains in contention for the yellow jersey.
What’s Next for the Affected Riders?
The immediate focus is on the recovery of the injured riders.
As the Tour de France heads into the Vosges and Alps, the crash serves as a reminder of the sport’s physical risks. For now, the focus remains on recovery and the pursuit of the yellow jersey, with the peloton set to tackle the Ballon d’Alsace on Friday.
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