The opening week of the Tour de France is often characterized by unpredictability and anxiety, and this year’s event was no exception. The first stage, which took place in Lille, saw riders facing the inevitable chaos that accompanies the grueling competition. Notably, Filippo Ganna and Sean Flynn were among the first to face the asphalt, followed soon after by Thibau Nys and Stefan Bissegger, as several riders struggled to maintain balance on the twisting roads.
The initial incident of the race occurred approximately 50 kilometers in, where Flynn and Ganna crashed in a right-hand corner, falling out of view of the crowd. Flynn, representing Picnic PostNL, managed to walk back to his bike, while Ganna of INEOS Grenadiers remained on the ground for some time, appearing to suffer significant back pain. Despite his struggles, Ganna attempted to rejoin the race, even changing his shoe while in motion, under the watchful eyes of race officials. Unfortunately, shortly after, he found himself more than two minutes behind the main group and was ultimately forced to abandon the race. This marked him as the first official withdrawal of this year’s Tour.
In the same vein, Bissegger encountered his share of misfortune. Following a separate crash, he appeared dazed and indicated discomfort at the back of his head, prompting medical assessments for potential concussion symptoms. Meanwhile, fellow rider Thibau Nys, who also collided along with Bissegger, seemed to recover more quickly and continued to ride, albeit behind the peloton. However, about half an hour after Ganna’s withdrawal, Bissegger decided to exit the competition as well, leaving a disappointing mark on the day for time trial specialists.
The dramatic happenings of the race highlight the risks inherent in professional cycling and set the stage for what promises to be an intense and dynamic tournament moving forward. As the Tour de France progresses, fans can look forward to witnessing how the remaining cyclists will navigate the challenges ahead, hoping for a smoother course in the stages to come.