Tobias Johannessen to continue Tour despite Ventoux collapse
Uno-X Mobility have confirmed that Tobias Halland Johannessen will continue the Tour de France despite his collapse after the finish of stage 16 to Mont Ventoux. The 25-year-old lies eighth in the overall standings with five days remaining.
Tobias Halland Johannessen will start stage 17 of the Tour de France despite being taken away by ambulance after collapsing at the summit of Mont Ventoux following Tuesday’s stage. His Uno-X Mobility team confirmed on Wednesday morning that Halland Johannessen had suffered from “severe stomach cramps” in the finale of stage 16, but he has been given the all-clear to continue in the race.
Johannessen collapsed after finishing 28th on stage 16, 5:11 down on winner Valentin Paret-Peintre. He was administered oxygen and saline by race doctors at the finish, and he was then taken by ambulance to hospital in Carpentras for further tests. The Norwegian was released from hospital on Tuesday evening.
“Following thorough investigations, the medical team has concluded that Tobias suffered from severe stomach cramps during the final kilometres of stage 16 to Mont Ventoux,” Uno-X Mobility said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of the emergency treatment, and following set procedures, Tobias received oxygen and 500 ml of intravenous saline. The treatment was administered by the race medical team as part of this emergency care and has been reviewed and approved by UCI medical staff. He has been cleared to continue racing.
“Tobias felt much better after only a few minutes, but out of an abundance of care, he was transported by ambulance to the Tour de France medical truck and then to the emergency department at Centre Hospitalier Carpentras. An ultrasound scan, x-rays, blood tests and ECGs were performed and showed no abnormalities.”
Despite his travails on the upper slopes of Mont Ventoux, Johannessen limited his losses, and he remain 8th overall with five stages of the Tour remaining.
The 2021 Tour de l’Avenir winner shone at the Critérium du Dauphiné last month, placing fifth overall, and he has impressed at this Tour, most notably with fourth at Hautacam and an aggressive showing on the road to Superbagnères.
“Tobias is feeling well and will start Stage 17 today – as we look ahead to some tough final days of the Tour de France,” Uno-X said.
