Wout van Aert’s participation at the Giro d’Italia is “uncertain” after he suffered multiple broken bones in a serious crash, Team Visma – Lease a Bike has announced.
Van Aert then underwent an operation on Thursday after breaking his sternum, collarbone and “several” ribs.
Although the recovery time remains “unclear”, his involvement at the first Grand Tour of the year in Italy, which starts on May 4, looks to be in serious doubt.
“Wout van Aert had a successful operation today,” Visma – Lease a Bike wrote on social media. “Examination revealed that he suffered a broken sternum, broken collarbone and several broken ribs.
“It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on his bike. The next few weeks will be all about his recovery.
“He will, therefore, miss the Spring Classics. His participation in the Giro d’Italia is still uncertain. We will make a decision in the coming weeks based on his recovery.
“On behalf of Wout, we thank everyone for their support. He now hopes to continue his recovery in peace.”
Van Aert went down in a serious incident 60km from the finish of Wednesday’s race, where a pile-up left many riders requiring medical treatment and the Belgian with his jersey ripped almost entirely off his body.
It is a big blow to Visma – Lease a Bike, who will be without one of their star names and most important team members.
Van Aert is a nine-time stage winner at the Tour de France, where he won the points classification in 2022.
He has never previously contested the Giro d’Italia and now looks unlikely to start this year.
Primoz Roglic is the reigning champion in Italy after taking the pink jersey for the first time in 2023 while riding for Jumbo-Visma, but he has since departed for Bora-Hansgrohe.