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Tobias Halland Johannessen has said he expects to be able to continue in the Tour de France, hours after being oxygen at the end of stage 16 of the race.
The Uno-X Mobility rider collapsed after crossing the finish line on Mont Ventoux and received medical attention before being brought to hospital for tests.
“I gave it my all anyway. I struggled a bit with my stomach, so I feel like I was hyperventilating a bit,” he told TV2 upon returning to the team hotel following that checkup.
“When I crossed the finish line, I just had to lie on my back to catch my breath. Then people will test it out. They have done that now, and everything looks good.”
He had started the day in eighth overall and retained that GC place despite losing time. A decision will be made prior to Wednesday’s stage.
“We will do another round of tests tomorrow, but I am positive,” he said. “Everything we have done looks very good. It is probably just a reaction to something or other. I ride hard every day and it is probably just a reaction to that.
“It is nice to have everything sorted, so we will most likely be ready again tomorrow.”
Previously: Tobias Halland Johannessen Taken to Hospital Following Collapse on Mont Ventoux
Tobias Halland Johannessen was taken to hospital after collapsing after finishing stage 16 of the Tour de France atop Mont Ventoux.
The Norwegian climber was given oxygen at the summit of the mountain and then driven away in an ambulance, with reports that he remains conscious.
He crossed the line 5:11 behind the day’s winner Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step), and with his Uno-X Mobility teammate Andreas Leknessund nursing him up the climb.
According to TV2, Uno X sports director Stig Kristiansen spoke soon after his collapse.
“I don’t know much. He talked to us in the last kilometers and said he was having a hard time breathing.
“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 organization right now.”
ITV journalist Daniel Friebe stated on social media that he appeared to be alert when brought to hospital.
Tobias Johannessen has just left medical truck on a stretcher, but smiling & with thumbs up. Team reassured but he’ll now go to hospital in Avignon for liver & blood checks before decision on him continuing or not.
— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) July 22, 2025
Halland Johannessen started the day eighth overall and while he lost time to all of the other riders in the top 10, he retained his general classification position.
His collapse brings to mind a similar incident involving Stephen Roche in the 1987 Tour de France, when he was given oxygen after digging deep to limit his losses to Pedro Delgado on the climb of La Plagne.
Mont Ventoux is regarded as one of the toughest climbs in cycling, due in part to its exposed slopes and exposure to heat. The British rider Tom Simpson died on the mountain in 1967.
Halland Johannessen’s collapse came minutes after Jonas Vingegaard, the rider in second overall, collided with a race photographer after crossing the line.
It remains to be confirmed whether or not Halland Johannessen will continue in the race.
Speaking to Wielerflits after the finish, Uno-X Mobility general manager Thor Hushovd confirmed things had improved from when he had collapsed.
“He is feeling much better. That was dramatic seeing him lying down with some stomach pains, but luckily he feels better. He will go to the hospital for a checkup. Our team doctor, that was his advice, so I think that is best thing to do.”
If he does continue, Hushovd was asked if he thought the incident could have an effect on him in the days ahead.
“It is too early to say. Most important is that Tobias is doing better and is well. The most important for us is the health of the rider. So if there are issues, we will listen to that. This we will know later today.
“I would like that Tobias gets well and he is 100 percent healthy. That is the most important thing. If he is number six, seven, eight or 10, in the end of the day it doesn’t matter. It is about the rider and the athlete.”