Wout van Aert will not start next month's Tour de France due to complications from an elbow injury. The 31-year-old Belgian cyclist suffered an infection in the wound on his elbow.
What happened?
Van Aert returned to racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes earlier this month, winning stage five. However, he had to withdraw the following morning due to ongoing elbow discomfort from a crash suffered in training before the race.
Why it matters for Wout van Aert
The withdrawal is a major blow for Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Jonas Vingegaard's chances of the yellow jersey, with Van Aert playing a key role in both of the Dane's previous overall victories. Van Aert has massive pedigree in the Tour, having previously won 10 stages.
What comes next?
Options to replace Van Aert include British pair Matthew Brennan and Ben Tulett, as well as Norwegian rider Per Strand Hagenes. The team will announce their final squad on June 23. Van Aert's next scheduled race is the Vuelta a Espana this August.
Van Aert expressed his disappointment, stating that the Tour de France is one of his main goals every year. Unfortunately, a crash during training has put a spanner in the works, and the injury to his elbow has worsened and has still not healed sufficiently.
The Tour de France begins in Barcelona with a team trial on July 4, a discipline in which the Belgian would have played a key role. Van Aert's focus is now on his recovery so he can return to his best level later this season.
The decision to prioritize Van Aert's health was made after consultation between Van Aert, the medical staff, and the performance coaches. The wound was cleaned again in hospital, and he also spent one night under observation in hospital.
Van Aert's absence will be felt by the team, and his replacement will have big shoes to fill. The Belgian cyclist has been a key player in the team's success, and his injury is a significant setback.
The Visma-Lease a Bike team will have to regroup and adjust their strategy without Van Aert. The team's chances of winning the yellow jersey have taken a hit, but they will still be a strong contender in the race.
Van Aert's fans will have to wait until the Vuelta a Espana to see him in action again. The Belgian cyclist is determined to recover and come back stronger than ever, and his fans will be eagerly awaiting his return.
The Tour de France will go on without Van Aert, but his absence will be felt by the cycling community. The Belgian cyclist is a fan favorite, and his injury is a significant loss for the sport.