He didn't crack. He simply could not achieve a better peak and improve more from 2023 to 2024 like others top riders because of the injuries, especially the one who harmed the respiratory sistem.
Nevertheless, i really doubt some rider in this world, could achieve the shape he achieved 2 months after leaving the hospital, after 2 weeks in intensive care, pneumotorax, broken ribs and collarbone.
It's a shame, but it is what it is. The good news is this gap of 5 minutes can be easily closed with a good preparation next year, a better and healthy team without bad luck, simon yates, jorgenson, Kuss, van baarle, and with a better route for him if Colle delle Finestre and Granon return to the Tour.