Torstein Traeen, who started the day in the race leader's yellow jersey, was forced to leave the Tour de France on Thursday after suffering a concussion in a dramatic crash.
The 30-year-old Norwegian was fighting to hold on to the yellow jersey during the 186km sixth stage from Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre in southwest France when he misjudged a corner on a speedy descent and clattered into Uno-X Mobility team-mate Anders Johannessen before crashing onto the tarmac.
😢 Torstein Traeen’s crash on the descent meant the @MaillotjauneLCL leader had to finish the stage in pain.
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 9, 2026
😢 La chute de Torstein Traeen dans la descente qui condamne le porteur du @MaillotjauneLCL a finir l'étape en souffrance.#TDF2026 pic.twitter.com/zuiSnXPiYR
Traeen passed a concussion test on the side of the road and after lengthy treatment, he set off again, finishing the race but half an hour after stage winner Tadej Pogacar.
He had started the day with a lead over the world champion of almost eight minutes but even by the time of his crash he seemed certain to give up the jersey.
"Following further assessment by the Uno-X Mobility medical staff, analysis of the data from his helmet sensor and X-rays in the medical truck, he has been diagnosed with a concussion and multiple rib fractures," his team said in a statement.
"This is really not the ending we wanted for this yellow adventure," added Uno-X general manager Thor Hushovd, himself a former professional cyclist who was the first Norwegian to wear the yellow jersey in 2004.
Traeen became only the third Norwegian to wear the coveted yellow jersey when he finished eighth on Tuesday's fourth stage, just two days after Norway stunned five-time winners Brazil at the World Cup thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland.