Wout Van Aert Undergoes Surgery After Bad Crash; Could Miss Giro D’Italia Achi-News

BRUSSELS: Belgian rider Wout van Aert has undergone surgery after suffering multiple fractures in a crash that has put his Giro d’Italia entry in doubt, his team said on Thursday.

Van Aert crashed at high speed on Wednesday during the Dwars door Vlaanderen race. He suffered a broken sternum, broken collarbone and broken ribs.

The crash ruled him out of Sunday’s Tour of Flanders classic, one of his main goals this season, and will keep him sidelined for weeks.

“It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on his bike,” said the Visma-Lease and Bike team. “He will, therefore, miss the spring classics. His participation in the Giro d’Italia in May is still uncertain.”

Van Aert is widely regarded as one of the best and most versatile riders in the world. The three-time cyclocross world champion is also a 10-stage and points classification winner at the Tour de France. He has also won major races such as the Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianchi, Gent-Wevelgem and Amstel Gold Race.

With the Giro in doubt, Van Aert may decide to focus instead on the Tour de France before the Paris Olympics.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)