Noemi Rüegg crashed after clipping a blue Shimano neutral-service motorbike near the summit of the Col de Durbize during Stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes.
The EF Education-Oatly rider was part of the large breakaway, which was around one minute ahead of the peloton at the time of the incident. There was no significant congestion around her, with approximately six riders already passing beneath the summit gantry and several more following behind.
Television footage showed Rüegg looking over her shoulder to assess the gap before drifting towards the motorbike at relatively low speed. Her front wheel appeared to make contact with the rear or side of the neutral-service vehicle, sending her to the ground.
The crash was not especially high speed, and Rüegg was able to get back to her feet quickly. She remounted and resumed racing without any obvious delay caused by an injury or serious mechanical problem.
The incident appeared to result from Rüegg’s attention being directed behind her rather than from the motorbike obstructing a tightly packed group. The road around the summit was comparatively clear, with the breakaway already stretched into smaller groups as riders passed beneath the gantry.
Rüegg began Stage 5 in 20th place overall, 3:01 behind Marlen Reusser, making her one of the general classification threats within the breakaway. EF Education-Oatly also had Magdeleine Vallieres Mill represented in the move.
