Possible Visma Tour de France replacement Zingle reveals fractured vertebra
Frenchman Axel Zingle was on track for overall victory at the Four Days of Dunkirk last month until a crash sent him to hospital in the pink jersey of race leader. At the time, he was given a clean bill of health, but for some discomfort, however subsequent tests have shown a fracture to the C7 vertebra, low down in the cervical spine (i.e. base of the neck).
After the inevitable withdrawal of compatriot Christophe Laporte, Zingle had been considered a likely contender for Visma-Lease a Bike’s Tour de France squad set to start the Grand Boucle in five weeks’ time, a booking that would be Zingle’s third appearance at his home Tour – he finished twice with previous team Cofidis. However, though he’s hoping to be able to return to competition before too long, it’s a setback for the Frenchman and potentially reduces the options for the Dutch team.
