Former bike world champion Mathieu van der Poel has to give up on the Tour de France because of pneumonia.
He will no longer compete on the 16th stage of Montpellier up to the legendary Mont Ventoux on Tuesday.
“Mathieu suffered from the symptoms of a cold in the last few days. Yesterday afternoon his condition began to worsen” his team said Alpecin-Deceuninck.
Studies in the hospital
In the evening the 30-year-old received a fever and was brought to a hospital in Narbonne for further investigations. Pneumonia was diagnosed there at the Dutch.
“In consultation with the medical staff, it was decided that he can no longer continue the race. His health has a top priority”, It was said in the message.
Also pogacar with Cold symptoms
Many drivers currently suffer from a cold at the Tour de France – the overall leading Tadej Pogacar also showed slight symptoms. Van der Poel had won the second stage in Boulogne-sur-Mer on the tour of France and thus conquered the yellow jersey.