Professional cycling’s quick descent into the danger zone

Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, nearly died after a serious crash during a race in the Basque Country in April 2024, suffering broken ribs, sternum, collarbone, and a punctured lung. The Danish cyclist has since recovered, winning the Vuelta a España in autumn 2024 and Paris-Nice in spring 2025, and is now the favourite for the 2025 Giro d'Italia, which began in Bulgaria. The article uses Vingegaard's experience to highlight broader safety concerns in professional cycling, arguing that riders should be better protected from dangerous race conditions.