Tour de France star Tobias Johannessen collapses at finish line and rushed to hospital in ambulance

TOUR DE FRANCE rider Tobias Halland Johannessen COLLAPSED at the finish line of stage 16.

The 25-year-old received oxygen from medics – at the summit of Mont Ventoux in the Pyrenees – before being rushed to hospital in an ambulance on Tuesday afternoon.

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Tobias Halland Johannessen COLLAPSED at the finish line of Stage 16 on Tuesday afternoon[/caption]

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Tadej Pogacar maintains his overall lead with five stages left[/caption]

Team-mate Andreas Leknessund later revealed that his UCI ProTeam Uno-X Mobility pal was struggling with stomach problems. 

But Johannessen made sure to complete the stage before laying up at the finish area as riding doctors rushed to his rescue.

TV 2 expert Mads Kaggestad at the scene said: “It shows how extremely he has pushed himself.”

Uno-X sports director Stig Kristiansen spoke to TV 2 after the drama erupted.

He said: “I don’t know much. He talked to us in the last kilometers and said he was struggling to get air.

“He was struggling a bit with stomach cramps. It’s a mountain that takes its toll.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him and those in the finish area, but the doctor is on his way and he’s getting help from the organisation right now.”

Uno-X team manager Thor Hushovd later confirmed: “Tobias is feeling much better now.

“He was suffering from stomach cramps and is now going to the hospital for a medical check-up.”

Talentin Paret-Peintre produced a late sprint to get past Ben Healy and claim a stunning win on stage 16.

After a thrilling battle up the iconic Ventoux climb – which summits at nearly 2000m above sea level – Healy looked set to claim his second win of this year’s Tour as he emerged from the final bend in the lead.

But Paret-Peintre, 24, fought back to deny the Irishman and become the first French winner this year.

Jonas Vingegaard repeatedly attacked reigning champion Tadej Pogacar on the climb but the pair crossed together.

Pogacar’s fifth place finish means the Slovenian keeps the yellow jersey and maintains his overall lead by TWO seconds.

Meanwhile, Johannessen finished in 28th place.

But the Norwegian remains eighth overall but lost time to Felix Gall, who opened up a 2 minute and 11 seconds lead with five stages left.

Johannessen received abuse from fans after he cause Pogacar to crash in the final paces of stage 11.

He inadvertently cut across Pogacar’s front wheel with 5km left, causing him to fall to the ground – and later apologised for it.

But riders in the select GC group sportingly called a truce and let the the three-time champion back in, so he didn’t lose any time.

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Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar is the overall leader after stage 16[/caption]