Wout van Aert is out of the Tour de France due to an elbow infection. The Belgian cyclist has been plagued by bad luck this year, with a fractured ankle and illness delaying his season start.
What happened?
The Visma-Lease a Bike rider's misfortune started with a cyclo-cross crash that fractured his ankle. He then suffered from illness that delayed his season start at Omloop Nieuwsblad.
Why it matters for Wout van Aert
Despite being one of the favorites every Classics season, Van Aert has only won Paris-Roubaix once and never triumphed at his home race, the Tour of Flanders. His rivals, such as Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, seem to have better luck.
What comes next?
Van Aert's plight makes him distinctly likeable, and his hard work and determination are admirable. His stage win at the Giro d'Italia and victory on the final stage of the Tour de France last summer are testaments to his skill and perseverance.
The 31-year-old Belgian has had a tough year, with injury, illness, and a puncture all in a few months. His bad luck is amplified by the fortune his rivals appear to find, with Van der Poel and Pogačar seeming to crash less and get ill less often.
Van Aert's fans can only imagine an alternate history where he has escaped illness, injury, and incident, and think of more glory for the Belgian. Five years ago, it seemed like Van Aert and Van der Poel would be going toe-to-toe, pedal-to-pedal, in every cobbled Classic.
The Belgian's hard times mean that the good times seem all the better. His victory on the final stage of the Tour de France last summer was a highlight of his career, and his fans hope that he can bounce back from this latest setback.
Van Aert's injury is a significant blow to his team, Visma-Lease a Bike, and his chances of winning the Tour de France. However, his determination and hard work will likely see him back on the road soon, fighting for victory in the Classics.
The question on everyone's mind is: can Van Aert overcome his bad luck and achieve his goals in the cycling world? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - he will not give up without a fight.
Van Aert's story is one of perseverance and determination, and his fans will be rooting for him as he recovers from his injury and prepares for his next challenge. With his skill and experience, he is sure to be a contender in the Classics, and his bad luck may finally start to turn around.
The cycling world will be watching Van Aert's progress closely, and his fans will be eager to see him back on the road, competing at the highest level. With his strong immune system and excellent bike handling, he is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the Classics.
As Van Aert recovers from his injury, he will be focusing on his training and preparation for the next season. His fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the road, and the cycling world will be watching his progress with interest.