Multiple riders crash in high-speed, domino-effect sprint incident on Tour de France stage 12

Key Points:

• A high-speed crash involving Fernando Gaviria, Søren Wærenskjold, Dorian Godon, and several other riders occurred in the final 400 metres of stage 12 of the Tour de France, blocking the road and causing multiple riders to fall.
• Gaviria fell first after shoulder contact with Olav Kooij, leading to a domino effect that brought down Wærenskjold, Godon, and riders from Lotto Intemarché and Picnic PostNL, with Godon appearing seriously hurt on the ground.
• Despite hitting his head hard, Gaviria remained conscious and finished the stage, though he appeared to have a possible broken collarbone and skin injuries; race leader Tadej Pogačar was briefly stopped but unaffected.
• The technical and challenging sprint finish, featuring corners, roundabouts, speed bumps, and an uphill final 500 metres, contributed to the tense conditions leading to the crash.
• Stage winner Tim Merlier was among the few who avoided the crash, while team manager Thor Hushovd noted the severity of the incident and the likelihood of soreness and injuries for those involved, highlighting the risks of high-speed cycling.