Tourmalet Crash Ends Træen’s Debut
Torstein Træen has officially withdrawn from the 2024 Tour de France. The Uno-X Mobility rider was forced to abandon the race following a high-speed crash on the descent of the Col du Tourmalet during Stage 6.
Though Træen managed to finish the stage in Gavarnie-Gèdre, his race ended shortly after. Medical assessments confirmed he suffered a concussion and multiple rib fractures, cutting his debut Tour short.
Sensor Data Triggers Medical Pull
The Uno-X Mobility team announced the withdrawal on Thursday evening. Initially, the rider appeared fit to continue, passing a roadside concussion assessment immediately after the incident.
The situation shifted when team doctors reviewed data from his helmet sensor and conducted x-rays in the race medical truck. Given the severity of the findings, the team determined he could not continue under current UCI concussion protocols and internal medical standards.
The End of a Yellow Jersey Streak
Træen’s exit marks a bitter conclusion to a standout performance. He had entered the mountain stage wearing the yellow jersey, an achievement team general manager Thor Hushovd called a “historic moment” for the squad.
He first seized the lead during a breakaway on Stage 4. By the start of Stage 6, he held a 28-second lead over EF Education-EasyPost’s Sean Quinn and a 7:53 gap over Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates. The decisive crash occurred after a touch of wheels while Træen was being supported by a teammate.
Hushovd Reflects on the Adventure
The departure removes one of the 2024 Tour’s early surprises. While Træen was expected to relinquish his lead as the race hit the high mountains, his exit adds to a growing list of early-week casualties in the Grand Tour.
“This is really not the ending we wanted for this yellow adventure,” Hushovd stated following the confirmation of the injuries. “What he and the whole team have achieved these past days is something we will always be proud of.”
Summary of the Exit
- Injury Status: Træen was diagnosed with a concussion and multiple rib fractures.
- Exit Timing: The withdrawal was confirmed after Stage 6, preventing the rider from starting Stage 7.
- The Incident: The crash occurred on the descent of the Col du Tourmalet following a touch of wheels.
- Team Performance: Træen held the yellow jersey for two days, marking a career-high point for the Uno-X Mobility team in their Tour de France campaign.