The Tour de France starts on July 4 and has already lost one of its figures. Wout van Aert will not ride this year’s edition due to an elbow injury, a major setback for the Visma-Lease a Bike plans.
The Dutch team reported this Wednesday that the Belgian “is still dealing with the effects of an elbow injury and did not recover in time to start the Tour de France at the required level.”
Van Aert suffered a fall during training prior to the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In that same test, the wound became infected and he had to give up. The team confirmed that he spent one night in hospital observation.
“The team has decided that a full recovery is the priority and Van Aert’s health comes first,” the squad said. “For this reason, he will not be included in the selection for the Tour de France.”
At 31 years old, Van Aert is one of the most versatile cyclists in the peloton. Last April he surprised by beating Tadej Pogacar in a close sprint to win Paris-Roubaix. Accumulate 10 stage victories in the Tour.
His absence complicates the strategy of Visma-Lease a Bike, which was betting on Jonas Vingegaard to try to dethrone Pogacar. Van Aert was a luxurious gregarious; Its ability on the flat and in the mountains made it key.
“This, of course, is a great disappointment,” said the Belgian. “The Tour de France is one of my main goals every year. Now my full focus is on my recovery so I can return to my best level later this season.”
The replacement will be known on June 23, when Visma-Lease a Bike publishes its official roster for the Grande Boucle.
