Tour's Pneumonia Kicks out van der Poel - Tour withdrawal for cyclist Mathieu van der Poel due to pneumonia
In a surprising turn of events at the ongoing Tour de France, cycling sensation Mathieu van der Poel has been forced to withdraw from the race due to pneumonia. The Dutch rider, who had been wearing the coveted yellow jersey for four days, was taken to a hospital in Narbonne in the evening.
Van der Poel, a member of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, had been suffering from cold symptoms for several days. His condition worsened significantly yesterday afternoon, leading to the difficult decision to withdraw from the race. The statement emphasized his health as the top priority.
Meanwhile, the overall leader of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar, is among the riders currently suffering from a cold. The Slovenian rider, however, is showing only mild symptoms and has not withdrawn from the race.
The 16th stage of the Tour de France, which van der Poel will not be participating in, is a legendary stage featuring Mont Ventoux. This stage is known for its challenging ascent, making it a crucial part of the race.
Van der Poel had made a strong start to the Tour de France, winning the second stage in Boulogne-sur-Mer. His withdrawal is a significant loss for the race, but the focus now shifts to the remaining riders, with Pogacar continuing to lead the pack.
It's important to note that this year's Tour de France has not been marred by widespread illness among the riders, unlike the 2025 event where van der Poel was forced to withdraw due to pneumonia. In 2025, van der Poel had initially displayed cold symptoms that worsened, but this is unrelated to the 2022 event.
As the Tour de France continues, all eyes will be on Pogacar as he battles to maintain his lead and secure the coveted title. The cycling world will undoubtedly be wishing van der Poel a speedy recovery and looking forward to his return to the race in the future.
The Commission, in the midst of this Tour de France, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in medical-conditions and sports-analysis sectors, considering van der Poel's recent health issues.
Rumors suggest that scientific research could be conducted to study various factors that impact health-and-wellness in sports, especially football and cycling, in light of Van der Poel's pneumonia and Pogacar's cold.
In the world of sports, it is crucial to prioritize health and wellness, even if it means withdrawing from prestigious events like the Tour de France, as demonstrated by Mathieu van der Poel in this year's and 2025's races.
