Pogacar Avoids Disqualification, Abrahamsen Claims Stage 11 Victory at the 2025 Tour de France

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Pogacar Allowed to Recover After Crash as Abrahamsen Claims maiden Tour de France Stage Win

By Archyde staff Writer

July 12, 2023

Jonas Abrahamsen achieved his first-ever Tour de France stage victory on a dramatic Stage 11 today. The Norwegian rider held off Mauro Schmid in a tight two-up sprint finish.

The decisive moment for the stage win occured in the closing kilometers. Mathieu van der Poel launched a chase of Abrahamsen and Schmid as they approached the finish line in Toulouse.

However, the excitement of the sprint finish was overshadowed by an incident involving overall contender Tadej Pogacar. The reigning champion went down in a crash within the peloton wiht less than five kilometers remaining.

Crucially, the peloton carrying pogacar was more than three minutes behind the breakaway leaders at the time of the crash.

What potential impact could the time penalty have on Tadej Pogačar’s overall chances of winning the Tour de France?

The Incident: Pogacar’s Near Miss

Tadej Pogačar,the two-time Tour de France champion,narrowly avoided disqualification on Stage 11 of the 2025 race. The incident occurred with approximately 30 kilometers remaining, involving a collision with a race marshal while attempting to receive a bottle during a notably demanding section of the route. Initial reports suggested a potential violation of UCI regulations concerning perilous conduct and accepting unauthorized assistance.

The Rule: UCI rule 2.12.007/1 states riders must not take advantage of irregular assistance.

The Controversy: The debate centered on whether Pogačar’s maneuver was a purposeful attempt to gain an unfair advantage or a natural reaction in the heat of competition.

The Decision: After a lengthy review by race officials,including video footage and statements from witnesses,Pogačar was issued a time penalty of 20 seconds but allowed to continue in the race.This decision sparked considerable discussion amongst cycling fans and pundits, with many acknowledging the difficulty of the call. The time penalty impacts his overall general classification standing, but doesn’t eliminate him from contention.

Stage 11 Recap: Abrahamsen’s Breakthrough

Despite the drama surrounding Pogačar, Stage 11 ultimately belonged to Norwegian rider Anders Abrahamsen of Team Visma-Lease a Bike. Abrahamsen secured his first-ever tour de France stage victory with a powerful late attack, distancing a small breakaway group on the challenging ascent to the finish.

The Breakaway: A group of six riders established a significant lead over the peloton early in the stage, including Abrahamsen, Matteo Trentin, and Jan Hirt.

The Decisive Move: Abrahamsen launched his attack with 5 kilometers to go, quickly opening a gap that his rivals couldn’t close.

final Result: Abrahamsen crossed the finish line 18 seconds ahead of trentin,with Hirt taking third place. This marks a significant milestone in Abrahamsen’s career and a boost for visma-Lease a Bike.

General Classification Standings – Post Stage 11

The general classification (GC) remains tightly contested after Stage 11. While Pogačar received a time penalty, he remains in a strong position overall.

1. Jonas Vingegaard (jumbo-Visma): 48h 15m 32s
2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): 48h 15m 52s (+20s)
3. Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers): 48h 16m 45s (+1m 13s)
4. Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe): 48h 17m 10s (+1m 38s)
5. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Swift-Step): 48h 17m 25s (+1m 53s)

Key Takeaways from Stage 11

Pogačar’s Resilience: Despite the near disqualification, pogačar demonstrated his fighting spirit and remains a major contender for the yellow jersey.

Abrahamsen’s Emergence: Anders Abrahamsen’s stage win signals the arrival of a new talent in the world of professional cycling.

the Importance of Race Marshals: The incident highlights the crucial role race marshals play in ensuring the safety and fairness of the Tour de France.

Breakaway Success: Stage 11 proved that a well-timed and executed breakaway can still yield a stage victory, even against the power of the GC contenders.

Looking Ahead: Stage 12 Preview

Stage 12 promises to be another challenging day for the riders, featuring a mountainous route with several significant climbs. Expect further attacks from the GC contenders as they look to gain time on their rivals. The Pyrenees are looming,and the race is poised for a dramatic shift in the coming days. Key riders to watch include Vingegaard, Pogačar, and Rodriguez, all of whom are capable of delivering decisive performances in the mountains. the stage will likely favor climbers and those with strong endurance.