Van Aert's coach reveals how elbow wound became a 'very serious situation' in a few days

Visma | Lease a Bike had already feared the worst, but on Wednesday morning it became clear that Wout van Aert would not start the Tour de France. The Belgian won a stage at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes last week, only to abandon shortly afterwards. His coach, Mathieu Heijboer, explained to HLN how the situation grew more serious soon after.

First, the facts. "After his win at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, his elbow became very swollen. The next morning there were signs of infection, so we didn't hesitate and sent him home to Belgium. In a fairly short time the situation had deteriorated," says Heijboer.

That bacterial infection, according to Van Aert's coach, developed during the French stage race. "Because before that, there was no reason at all for concern." How the bacteria got into the wound is a mystery to Heijboer. "His elbow was very swollen, but this weekend the wound was surgically cleaned."

And so Van Aert suddenly found himself in what Heijboer calls a "very serious situation." "Otherwise he wouldn't have been admitted to hospital. Things are going better at the moment, because the treatment is working. Our concern, of course, is Wout's health," the coach adds, echoing the words Visma | Lease a Bike also put in Wednesday's press release.

By his own account, something worse was even avoided. "Thanks to the prompt action of the medical staff and doctor Steven Claes." Sepsis was prevented, the Belgian outlet reports — a form of blood poisoning that could have had severe consequences. Van Aert is now back home, but alongside antibiotics he must also report for a check-up every day.

That drew a line through the Tour. "We didn't want to create a high-pressure situation in which he had to make the Tour. It was a difficult decision, but at the same time an easy one. There wasn't much doubt about whether or not to start — the situation was very clear. But the disappointment is still huge."

Because: "Wout was hugely motivated and training well. Jonas (Vingegaard, ed.) is also hugely disappointed, because he knows the role Wout has played in helping him win yellow. He's an irreplaceable cog," Heijboer explains, before putting things in perspective. "The worst of the pain is over. It's still tender, but already a good deal better than at the weekend. After that we'll see what plans we make for the rest of the year."