Wout van Aert will not start the Tour de France due to injury: 'Health comes first'

It was already a strong rumour after abandoning the Dauphiné, but on Wednesday morning it became official: Wout van Aert will not start the Tour de France. His team Visma | Lease a Bike confirmed the news in a press release. The Belgian has not recovered in time from the elbow injury he sustained in the build-up to the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Van Aert still won a stage at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but afterwards said his elbow was causing him more pain than in the days before. That led to him not starting the race the following day. It also caused concern at his team Visma | Lease a Bike, with the Tour de France looming fast on the horizon.

In the end, the Tour would come too soon. "This week, the wound was cleaned again in hospital, and he also spent one night under observation in hospital," Visma | Lease a Bike said. "After consultation between Van Aert, the medical staff, and the performance coaches of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, it has been decided that full recovery is the priority and Van Aert's health comes first. For this reason, he will not be included in the selection for the Tour de France."

Van Aert describes it as "a big disappointment." "The Tour de France is one of my main goals every year. Unfortunately, a crash during training has put a spanner in the works, and the injury to my elbow has worsened and has still not healed sufficiently. Together with the team, we have concluded that starting the Tour in top form is not feasible at this point. My full focus is now on my recovery so I can return to my best level later this season."

Race coach Marc Reef is understandably disappointed too. "Wout is one of the most important riders in our team and we would obviously have loved to have him at the start of the Tour. In recent days we have explored all options, but ultimately his health comes first."

"With the recovery process required, it is not possible for him to reach top form in time for the Tour de France. It is unfortunate that he will not be there, but we are convinced this is the right decision for his recovery and the rest of his season," the race coach concluded.

Van Aert's replacement will be announced on 23 June. That is the day the full Tour de France selection will also be presented.