After the disastrous mass fall in the Across Flanders cycling race, Wout van Aert has to worry about his planned participation in the Giro d’Italia. The Belgian, who suffered a broken collarbone, several broken ribs and a broken sternum on Wednesday, has already undergone a successful operation at the Herentals hospital and will be out for several weeks. Former world champion Mads Pedersen, who was also involved in the crash, got off lightly.
28.03.2024 18.51
Online since yesterday, 6:51 p.m
His team Lidl-Trek announced on Thursday that the 28-year-old should start the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. However, his health will be closely monitored until then. Pedersen suffered bruises and abrasions in the high-speed crash on Wednesday and had to withdraw from the race.
Van Aert, on the other hand, will certainly miss the upcoming classics Tour of Flanders (March 31st) and Paris – Roubaix (April 7th). It is still unclear whether he will be fit again in time for the Tour of Italy. “We will decide this in the coming weeks based on his recovery progress,” his team told Visma-Lease a Bike. It is possible that van Aert will change his mind, skip the Giro and take part in the Tour de France instead.
Mass crash overshadows Jorgenson victory
Matteo Jorgenson from the Visma-Lease a Bike team won the one-day cycling race across Flanders. However, the 24-year-old’s victory was overshadowed by a serious crash in which Jorgenson’s teammate Wout van Aert was also involved. The cycling star suffered serious injuries.
Stuyven also underwent surgery
Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) was also involved in the fall. The Belgian, second in the Ronde dress rehearsal E3 prize, was diagnosed with a broken collarbone. He has also already had surgery and will be out for several weeks. Meanwhile, the all-clear was given to Eritrean Biniam Girmay from his team Intermache-Wanty. The 23-year-old escaped without any broken bones and is expected to take part in the Tour of Flanders.
