Van Aert abandons Vuelta after brutal crash on stage 16 descent | Video

Wout van Aert was clearly in a bad way after his crash, while descending on the breakaway, on stage 16 of La Vuelta (Photo: Toni Baixauli)

Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) has looked back to his best on La Vuelta, with three stage wins, but will not take any further part in the race after a bad crash while descending on stage 16 today.

The Belgian, who has only come back to top form in recent weeks after a serious fall back in the spring, tried to get going again after falling in the breakaway today with 50km remaining.

However, he soon gave up on those efforts and was badly cut to his arms and legs as he climbed into a team car by the roadside. The incident will put at risk the recent of his season, including the upcoming Europeans in Limburg and Worlds in Zurich.

Van Aert fell on a left-hand bend with Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-AlUla) and Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates), though only the Belgian seemed to be badly injured. The incident occurred on the descent of the Collada Llomena on stage 16 to Lagos de Covadonga.

Visma-Lease a Bike sports director, Grischa Niermann, said Van Aert was due to undergo medical checks to establish the extent of his injuries.

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“Wout was taken to hospital by ambulance. There he will undergo examinations. Of course we are so sad seeing him leave the Vuelta in this manner. Luck has not been on our side this season. We all feel for him.”  

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