“For six weeks I was completely useless on the sofa”: Tobias Foss overcomes a horrific early-season crash to mount a late charge for a Tour de France spot

After a devastating crash earlier in the season left him with multiple serious injuries, Tobias Foss has fought his way back into form and is now firmly in contention for a Tour de France selection with Netcompany INEOS. The Norwegian time trial world champion endured fractures to his shoulder blade, ribs, collarbone and vertebra, as well as a punctured lung, before returning to racing and recently impressing with fourth overall at the Tour de Suisse.

Foss described the severity of his crash and the long recovery that followed, which effectively wiped out the early part of his season. “The injury list was long. For six weeks I was completely useless on the sofa, before I managed to get sick for a week after that,” Foss said in words to TV2.

After two and a half weeks of altitude training in Gran Canaria, Spain, Foss returned to competition in April at the Tour of the Alps and was surprised by how quickly his form began to return. “When I came back, I was surprised that I wasn’t more rubbish. After a couple of races I got a really good block in May, and then I had another good block of racing recently,” he explained.

That progress was underlined by a strong performance at the Tour de Suisse, where he finished fourth overall and also took third place in the individual time trial behind Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel.

“It was a ‘clumsy’ start to the season. It has cost a lot mentally and physically to come back, but I’ve had good support at home and at work,” Foss said.

With the Tour de France set to start on July 4 in Barcelona, Foss has moved into contention for a spot in the Netcompany INEOS squad. Although his original plan was to build toward the Vuelta a España, recent performances have reopened the Tour debate within the team.

“Of course, a fourth place in Switzerland speaks of good form. As a team you want the best riders for the Tour. It is the biggest race. There was already a discussion before Switzerland, and it has not become a smaller discussion afterwards,” he said.

Foss admitted that the decision is ultimately out of his hands, but made clear he is ready if selected. “I don’t think anyone is hard to ask, especially when you are in good form. One thing is if I was half broken and completely shattered, but the body is in a very good balance and recovery is on top,” he said.

“Then you become confident that you have something there to do. Emotionally you obviously say yes to the Tour de France. There is no doubt about it.”

The Norwegian also acknowledged that his future at Netcompany INEOS is still unresolved, with his current contract entering its final year.

“I have no idea. It has been another stress factor on top of everything else. It has made the spring a bit more challenging mentally. We’ll see what happens. I haven’t opened or closed any doors,” Foss said.

While Foss did not confirm any direction for his future, he did not rule out a potential move to Uno-X Mobility. “As a Norwegian, Uno-X is always an option. I know many there, so it will always be a possibility,” he concluded.