Jonas Abrahamsen Triumphs in Stage 11 of Tour de France Amidst Pogačar’s Crash

Abrahamsen’s Historic Victory

Norwegian cyclist Jonas Abrahamsen made headlines on July 16, 2025, by clinching his first stage win at the Tour de France during the 11th stage. The race, which started and ended in Toulouse, saw Abrahamsen attack early and maintain his lead, ultimately finishing ahead of Swiss rider Mauro Schmid in a thrilling photo finish. Belgian-born Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel made a late surge but fell short, finishing seven seconds behind in third place.

Pogačar’s Unfortunate Incident

The day took a dramatic turn for race favorite Tadej Pogačar, who crashed with just 2.5 miles to go. Despite the setback, his competitors showed sportsmanship by slowing down to allow him to rejoin the peloton. Pogačar managed to reattach his chain and continued the race without sustaining serious injuries or losing time.

"I’m quite OK, a bit beaten up, but we’ve been through worse days," Pogačar remarked post-race. He expressed gratitude towards his fellow riders for their support, acknowledging that while the race was effectively over for him at that moment, their decision to wait demonstrated respect and camaraderie.

Healy Retains Yellow Jersey

Ben Healy, who currently holds the yellow jersey, confirmed that he and two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard agreed to wait for Pogačar, showcasing the spirit of competition and respect among the riders. Healy leads the general classification by 29 seconds over Pogačar, marking a significant achievement as only the fourth Irish rider to wear the yellow jersey.

Stage Overview and Future Challenges

Wednesday’s stage covered a challenging 97.4 miles, featuring a steep incline on the Côte de Pech David before the finish line. Initially expected to favor sprinters, the stage proved to be a test of endurance and strategy. Abrahamsen’s early attack, joined by Schmid and Davide Ballerini, set the tone for a day filled with aggressive racing, despite persistent efforts from notable riders like Van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Victor Campenaerts.

As the Tour de France progresses, all eyes will be on Thursday’s Stage 12, which promises to deliver the first high-mountain showdown with a summit finish at the legendary Hautacam.

This report includes contributions from the Associated Press and Reuters.