Wout van Aert has introduced that he will likely be unable to make his Giro d’Italia debut subsequent month following his spring Classics-ending crash and ensuing accidents suffered at Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Speaking in a video message launched by Visma-Lease A Bike on Thursday afternoon, the Belgian acknowledged that he’s “doing properly” after fracturing his collarbone, sternum and a number of ribs throughout the mass crash on the race in late March.
However, he stated that he’s nonetheless unable to coach, that means it will likely be unimaginable for him to be match sufficient to make it to the Giro d’Italia’s Grande Partenza in Piemonte on May 4.
“Hello, everybody. I’m actually completely happy to let you know I’m doing properly. I’m recovering from all my accidents in the mean time after my crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen,” Van Aert stated.
“Plenty of my accidents are fairly good in the mean time, however my ribs are nonetheless a limiting issue so at this level I can not prepare in any respect. I attempted to do my first pedal strokes on the bike however not sufficient to have the ability to prepare. That’s why we made the choice to not begin within the Giro d’Italia.
“It’s a giant disgrace and I’m actually upset to overlook additionally my second aim of the season, however at this second I must prioritise my well being and I would like to offer my physique the time to get better.”
Van Aert didn’t announce any plans for an alternate programme, however he might now return to the Tour de France in the summertime in assist of two-time reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard and in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games in August.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
Visma-Lease a Bike added in a subsequent social media put up that Christophe Laporte will exchange Van Aert of their eight-rider roster for the Giro d’Italia.
On Wednesday, Visma-Lease a Bike confirmed that Wilco Kelderman may also miss the Giro d’Italia as a result of a fractured collerbone. He will likely be changed by Koen Bouwman. The staff ought to embody sprinter Olaf Kooij and younger GC rider Cian Uijtdebroeks.
The Corsa Rosa begins in Turin on Saturday May 4.
The resolution to overlook the Giro implies that 29-year-old Van Aert has now been pressured out of all of his predominant early season targets, together with the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, each of which had been gained by his everlasting rival Mathieu van der Poel.
His subsequent focus would be the street race in Paris, which falls on August 3, whereas later within the season he may also be taking purpose on the world championships in Zürich in late September.
Van Aert had deliberate to finish the Giro d’Italia after which prepare at altitude in July for the Olympics. However participation on the Tour de France, the place he’s gained 9 levels and the factors jersey in 5 begins, might now be on the playing cards, with this yr’s race operating from June 29-July 21 and doubtlessly serving as a ‘warm-up’ of kinds for his Olympic dream.
Van Aert’s Dwars crash was one in every of many misfortunes to befall Visma-Lease A Bike throughout the current cobbled Classics marketing campaign, regardless of huge wins coming at Opening Weekend and at Dwars door Vlaanderen with Matteo Jorgenson.
The staff missed Van Aert, Jorgenson, and 2022 champion Dylan van Baarle on the weekend’s Paris-Roubaix, although twins Mick and Tim van Dijke salvaged one thing for the Dutch squad with top-20 placings.
Visma-Lease a Bike’s GC chief Vingegaard can also be anticipated to be out of motion for an extended spell after falling in a high-speed crash at Itzulia Basque Country and fracturing his collarbone and a number of other ribs.
A timeline for his return to competitors has nonetheless to be confirmed.