Wout van Aert “underwent a successful operation”. The Visma-Lease a Bike team of the Belgian rider, who fell heavily on Wednesday on the route of the classic A Travers la Flanders, gave this Thursday new information on the state of health of the man who was among the favorites of the Tour of Flanders , scheduled for this Sunday.
“The examination revealed that he suffered a fractured sternum, clavicle and several broken ribs,” said the Dutch team, which on Wednesday only mentioned the fractured clavicle and rib injuries. We don't know when Wout will be able to get back on his bike. The next few weeks will be devoted to his convalescence. The spring classics will therefore be missed. »
😮 Wout van Aert victim of a terrible fall! The Belgian was forced to retire after a racing incident which also impacted Mads Pedersen, Jasper Stuyven and Biniam Girmay...
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“WVA” will therefore miss the Tour of Flanders, but also Paris-Roubaix, a famous race on the cobblestones of the North in which he took third place last year, and the Amstel Gold Race. But the Belgian, green jersey for the 2022 Tour de France, could also be withdrawn from the Tour of Italy (May 4-26), which he was due to compete for the first time this season.
On the Tour de France with Jonas Vingegaard?
“His participation in the Giro d’Italia is still uncertain. We will make a decision in the coming weeks based on his recovery,” explains his team. If his absence is confirmed, this could encourage Visma-Lease a Bike to redirect one of its stars to the Tour de France, where he could help its leader Jonas Vingegaard to win the Grande Boucle for the third time in a row.
“On behalf of Wout, we thank everyone for their support. He now hopes to continue his convalescence in complete peace,” the press release concludes. In his absence, the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) presents himself as the big favorite for the Tour of Flanders on Sunday.