Wout van Aert's spring campaign is over, just as his biggest targets were approaching, after he suffered multiple fractures in a crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Though his Visma-Lease a Bike team won both the men's and women's races today - with Matteo Jorgenson and Marianne Vos - the injuries to Van Aert are a major blow for both the rider and his team.
Visma-Lease a Bike confirmed the fractures in a medical update, adding he would be out of action for a series of upcoming classics. When precisely he will return is not clear.
"Van Aert crashed hard in Dwars door Vlaanderen and suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone and multiple broken ribs," the team said in a statement.
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"It is unclear at this time how long his recovery will take, but he will miss at least the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race."
The team's sporting director, Merijn Zeeman, added: "This is a huge setback. For the team, but of course especially for Wout himself. We admittedly won twice today, with Matteo and Marianne. That is really fantastic and yet our thoughts are also with Wout right now."
Van Aert was among a number of favourites, including Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), who crashed in the front group of the race with about 67km remaining in the race.
? A huge crash in the leading group has taken down a number of favourites, including Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen and Biniam Girmay, at Dwars door Vlaanderen ??
Sending our best wishes to the riders who were involved in the crash. pic.twitter.com/hlfuZwhBZd— Eurosport (@eurosport) March 27, 2024
