Caja Rural-Seguros RGA rider Alex Molenaar has abandoned the Tour de France after breaking his hand in a crash he said he didn’t remember.
The Dutchman came down in a small pile-up just outside 5km to go on Wednesday’s fifth stage to Pau. He finished the race, second from last and seven minutes behind the winner Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), and was tested for a concussion.
According to AS, he was heard beyond the finish line saying: “I don’t remember the crash.”
Molenaar was taken to a nearby hospital after the stage. Caja Rural-Seguros RGA later confirmed that he had suffered a fracture in his hand.
“Alex Molenaar will not be taking the start this Thursday following his heavy crash in Pau,” the team wrote on social media.
“The tests carried out have revealed that he is suffering from a fracture of the metacarpal in his right hand.”
Riding on his Tour debut, Molenaar wore the polka dot jersey on stage three as leader of the King of the Mountains classification. He is the fourth rider to abandon this year’s edition.
❌ Alex Molenaar no tomará la salida este jueves tras su dura caída en Pau.🏥 Las pruebas realizadas han desvelado que sufre la rotura del metacarpiano de su mano derecha.🫂 Mucho ánimo y pronta recuperación tras su gran inicio de #TDF2026📝 https://t.co/EfTzEIMR3u pic.twitter.com/nhJZXJOZAUJuly 8, 2026
Explore More
