Tobias Halland Johannessen collapsed on Tuesday after finishing the Tour de France stage to Mont Ventoux. The Norwegian rider from Uno-X Mobility was given oxygen and disappeared in an ambulance. According to his team doctor, he is doing well under the circumstances.
These were frightening images after the sixteenth Tour stage. The 25-year-old Johannessen collapsed on Mont Ventoux. The Norwegian number eight in the standings was given oxygen and placed in an ambulance.
“He suffered from stomach problems in the final kilometers of the stage,” Uno-X Mobility team leader Stig Kristiansen told the Norwegian TV2. “It is too early to say whether he can continue the Tour de France.”
Team doctor Rory Nolan spoke reassuring words. “Tobias suffered from stomach problems after the finish. He immediately received help from the tour doctors, which I am very happy about. He is in the ambulance and feels better.”
Mont Ventoux is one of the toughest climbs in France. The ‘Giant of Provence’ claimed a fatal victim in the 1967 Tour de France, when Briton Tom Simpson collapsed about 1.5 kilometers below the summit. He died on the way to the hospital.
Johannessen is having a good Tour de France. The Norwegian is eighth in the general classification. In the stage to Mont Ventoux, he finished 28th, more than five minutes behind stage winner Valentin Paret-Peintre.