Gaviria abandons Tour as Van Mechelen is relegated after stage 12 crash but denies wrongdoing

Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) has abandoned the Tour de France after suffering a fractured left collarbone in a crash at the end of stage 12. 

The Colombian sprinter was one of many riders who were involved in the mass crash during the final sprint in Chalon-sur-Saône, which was won by Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) ahead of Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). 

Gaviria was able to finish the stage in 151st, but following tests, the Spanish ProTeam confirmed his withdrawal after the stage.

“Tests performed immediately after the stage confirmed initial suspicions: Fernando Gaviria must withdraw from the Tour due to a fractured left collarbone,” read the team statement.

"I was talking to him from the crash site all the way back to the team bus, and honestly, he was in a bad way. He took a really hard hit and kept insisting that his collarbone was hurting,” explained Gaviria’s teammate Stefano Oldani in the statement.

Two-time Tour stage winner and former yellow jersey wearer Gaviria was participating in his third Tour, in what is Caja Rural’s return to the race after a 37-year absence. 

Gaviria was not the only rider forced out of the race following the crash.

Lotto-Intermarché sports director Kurt Van de Wouwer confirmed to Sporza that Jenno Berckmoes has also suffered a broken collarbone, with the 25-year-old forced to withdraw from the race despite also finishing the stage in 155th.

"His father is here, and they are heading to Herentals this evening,” Van de Wouwer told Sporza. 

"Jenno really suffered in the heat during the first week, but today he felt great. You could see that during his attack on that short climb, where he was looking strong. But then this happens."

Meanwhile, former French champion Dorian Godon (Netcompany-Ineos) has also been heavily impacted by the incident, according to his compatriot and teammate Kévin Vauquelin (Netcompany-Ineos). Godon finished 148th on the stage following the crash.

“I’m not entirely sure. But I could tell right away that Dorian was in trouble. He’s complaining a lot about his back, so he’s going to get checked out,” Vauquelin told Eurosport post-stage.

Though Netcompany-Ineos are yet to release an official update on the health of the Frenchman.

After reviewing the sprint, the race jury relegated Vlad Van Mechelen (Bahrain Victorious), ruling that the Belgian had deviated from his line and caused Gaviria’s crash. Van Mechelen crossed the line in 17th place but was ultimately relegated to 144th.

“I only felt contact on my rear wheel and lost some speed,” Van Mechelen told Sporza. “At first, I did not really understand what had happened. I only realised the extent of it when I later watched the footage.”

The Belgian maintained that he had not made an intentional move. “I was focused on sprinting to the finish and did not feel I had done anything wrong. Incidents like this can happen in a hectic finale.”