The Tour de France, one of the most prestigious and grueling cycling races in the world, is set to begin in just a few weeks, but a crucial warm-up race has left many riders injured and unwell, raising concerns about their ability to compete. The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a three-day stage race designed to prepare riders for the main event, has seen a staggering 63 DNFs (Did Not Finish), with 40% of riders dropping out due to illness and crashes. This is a stark reminder of the physical and mental demands of the sport, and the challenges faced by riders in the lead-up to the Tour de France.
One of the most high-profile victims of this race is Wout van Aert, the Belgian rider who had been in excellent form leading up to the event. However, a crash in training two weeks prior to the race left him with an infected wound in his elbow, causing him to withdraw from the Dauphiné. This is a significant setback for van Aert, who had been in great shape and was looking forward to the Tour de France. The wound is not healing, and team medics are concerned, with the possibility of his final training camp being delayed or canceled.
Another rider who has been severely affected is Paul Seixas, a 19-year-old French rider who was expected to be one of the GC "Big 4" at the Tour de France. A high-speed crash and slide left him with severely injured hands and elbows, making it difficult for him to control his bike. This is a huge blow for Seixas, who had been in good form and was looking forward to his debut at the Tour. The severity of his wounds is uncertain, but it is clear that he will need time to recover before he can resume his preparation for the Tour.
The resurgent Netcompany-Ineos team has also been hit hard, with breakout rider Oscar Onley suffering a devastating crash that dislocated his shoulder and wounded his legs. This is a significant loss for the team, which had been hoping to take the Tour's first maillot jaune by winning the stage 1 TTT. Time trial powerhouse Josh Tarling also broke his collarbone in a nasty crash, adding to the team's woes. These injuries are a stark reminder of the risks faced by riders in the sport, and the importance of proper preparation and training.
The virus that swept through the peloton last week also played a significant role in the high dropout rate. Matthew Riccitello, a young American rider, barely made it past the day 1 rollout with the sickness, and dozens more followed him into the sick bay. This is a concern for riders who are now facing a short three-week turnaround between the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Tour de France, which should be used for final kingmaker workouts rather than battling a raging fever and broiling guts. The sickly riders should make it to Barcelona on July 4, but will they be ready?
Remco Evenepoel, who chose to sit out this race and train, must be pleased that he made the right decision. Only two teams, Lidl-Trek and TotalEnergies, finished with all seven of their riders on Sunday, with Isaac del Toro taking his flowers. This is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by riders in the sport, and the importance of proper preparation and training. The high dropout rate and the injuries sustained by riders are a cause for concern, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the Tour de France. Will van Aert be at the Tour to support Jonas Vingegaard? Who knows. The wound is not healing, and the future schedule of the Belgian rider is uncertain.
In my opinion, the Tour de France is one of the most challenging and prestigious races in the world, and the warm-up races are crucial for riders to prepare for the main event. However, the high dropout rate and the injuries sustained by riders in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are a cause for concern. It is clear that riders need to be properly prepared and trained for the demands of the sport, and the risks faced by riders cannot be ignored. The Tour de France is a test of endurance, skill, and mental fortitude, and the riders who are able to prepare properly and stay healthy will be the ones who succeed. The race is set to begin in just a few weeks, and the world will be watching to see who will emerge as the winner.
