Jonas Vingegaard gave a thumbs-up signal as he left hospital on Tuesday after enduring a harrowing crash during the Tour of the Basque Country on April 4. The Dane has been in recovering in Spain since the crash took out several riders, including Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič. Evenepoel sustained a fractured collarbone, while Roglic endured significant road rash. Vingegaard fared the worst, requiring hospitalization where he was diagnosed with rib and collarbone fractures, as well as lung damage.
Vingegaard claimed Tour de France victories in both 2022 and 2023. Despite aiming for a third consecutive win this summer, the crash’s severity raises doubts about his participation. There have been several updates from his Visma – Lease a Bike squad, the latest on Tuesday confirming a successful collarbone operation.
The Dane is finally leaving hospital
This was the first update from the 27-year-old since the crash.
“Hello everyone, it’s time for me to leave the hospital,” he posted on X. “I want to thank all the medical staff for taking so good care of me. And I want to thank everyone for their moral support. I have received a lot of messages, presents and drawings. Heartwarming! Now it’s time to fully recover again. Thumbs up!”
Following the crash, he received a diagnosis of a fractured collarbone, multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, and a lung contusion.
Possibly still unable to fly
The fractured ribs led to the lung collapse, necessitating Vingegaard’s extended hospital stay.
According to experts, individuals with pneumothorax from injury should wait two weeks before air travel. However, ambulance aircraft offer a secure option for transporting such patients. These specialized planes, designed to accommodate one patient, are equipped with advanced medical facilities resembling modern intensive care units.
Importantly, cabin pressure adjustments during flight replicate ground-level conditions, preventing any worsening of the pneumothorax. This capability makes ambulance flights both feasible and safe for pneumothorax patients. In cases like Vingegaard’s, where air travel is necessary but conventional methods are inadequate, ambulance aircraft become essential. Their ability to regulate cabin pressure ensures patient safety during transit.
Switzerland or Denmark next?
Vingegaard did not share what is next for him–whether he will return to Denmark or to his other property in Switzerland. He also did not say if he is in…
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