Hi Subscribers,
This is a breaking news item, but we’re hearing word from several sources that Wout van Aert will miss the Tour de France this summer.
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The Belgian abandoned the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and missed the start of the Visma-Lease a Bike training camp at the start of the week.
Van Aert was supposed to be a key support rider for Jonas Vingegaard in the race as the Dane chases the Giro and Tour de France double this year. It’s unclear who will replace the Paris-Roubaix winner in the Visma-Lease a Bike line-up.
Van Aert crashed in training two weeks ago and, according to reports, a wound on one of his elbows became infected. He arrived at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and looked below his best in the opening stages, including the all-important team time trial. His team did win the stage.
The Belgian did manage to roar back two days later on the stage to Parc des Oiseaux Villars-les-Dombes with a fine sprint victory, but he did not start the following stage and left the race.
It was hoped that he would be able to link up with his teammates and take part in their final training camp ahead of the Tour, but according to several sources around the team, the Belgian is now set to miss the Tour de France and Visma-Lease a Bike are looking to find a replacement with the Grand Depart in Barcelona in just over two weeks.
Shortly after breaking the news, the team sent out a press release confirming our reports.
