Jonas Vingegaard: From the horror crash to the triumph at the Tour de France!

Jonas Vingegaard: From the horror crash to the triumph at the Tour de France!

The Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard spoke in a new documentary for "Dr Sporten" about his shattering fall in April 2024, which almost cost him his life. The 28-year-old describes the dramatic first moments after the accident when he could not breathe and was full of fear of blew to death. "I couldn't breathe in the first ten seconds. Already then I knew that something was wrong," Vingegaard recalls the fateful day of the Basque Country Tour. The accident happened during the fourth stage when several drivers were involved in a mass crash and Vingegaard was seriously injured.

The consequences of the accident were serious: Vingegaard suffered a pulmonary squeezing, a pneumothorax, fragile ribs and a broken collarbone. His wife Trine, who followed the terrible fall live on television, hurried to the airport after the accident with her daughter to be with her husband as soon as possible. "I thought I would end my career if I survived here," confessed Vingegaard. After twelve days in the hospital, including the intensive care unit, it was clear to him that he did not want to give up despite the bad injuries. In close consultation with his family, he decided to continue. Just three months after the accident, he successfully took part in the Tour de France and even secured a stage victory during this time.

back in the saddle

his comeback was remarkable. Vingegaard showed immense strength by already winning the eleventh stage of the Tour de France and finally becoming second overall in 2024, behind the outstanding Slovenian Tadej Pogačar. Despite the challenges and fear during the accident, he has his dream of continuing to be successful as a cycling professional and proven that he can return with steadfast will. This was emphasized both in the documentary and the "picture", which reported on the dramatic events and the comeback of the Danish cycling star.