Carlos Rodriguez has withdrawn from the Tour de France after scans revealed a fractured pelvis sustained in a crash on Stage 17. The Ineos Grenadiers rider had been sitting 10th overall in the general classification, but will not take the start in Moรปtiers for Stage 18’s punishing Alpine finale to Courchevel.
โCarlos Rodrรญguez will regrettably not take the start of Stage 18 today following his crash in the final moments of yesterdayโs stage,โ Ineos Grenadiers announced. โHospital scans have confirmed a fracture of the pelvis. Carlos is in good spirits and remains under the close supervision of our medical team. He will now return home to focus on recovery and the rehabilitation process.โ
The 23-year-old Spaniard had fought his way into the top 10 in his third Tour de France appearance, despite a race-long battle behind the dominant pairing of Tadej Pogaฤar and Jonas Vingegaard. He lay 10th overall at +20:13 from the yellow jersey.
The news is a major blow for Ineos Grenadiers, who have now lost their team leader just as the race enters its final mountain test. Thursdayโs Stage 18 features three major ascents, culminating in the brutal 26.4km climb to the summit of the Col de la Loze. At 2,304 metres, it is the highest point of this yearโs Tour and a stage earmarked as decisive for the podium battle.
Rodriguez had been one of only two Ineos riders remaining in the top 20 GC, with Tom Pidcock the next best placed at 16th overall. This is the second major race Rodriguez has exited due to injury in the past 12 months, having also been forced to abandon the 2024 Vuelta a Espaรฑa after a crash on Stage 6.
With just three days of racing left, his absence leaves Ineos re-evaluating their objectives as the Tour heads for the Alps and then the Paris finale on Sunday.
Main photo credit: Getty
