In addition to his collarbone, Wout van Aert also broke his sternum and several ribs in a fall

In addition to his collarbone and several ribs, Wout van Aert also broke his sternum after a heavy fall in Dwars door Vlaanderen. The Kempen resident can therefore make a cross about the rest of the spring. Jasper Stuyven also suffered a broken collarbone. The two Belgians underwent surgery in Herentals on Wednesday evening.

“Unfortunately, Wout van Aert suffered several fractures in the crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen. At the hospital, a broken collarbone and several broken ribs were diagnosed. It is unclear how long his recovery will take. He will certainly miss the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race,” said an earlier statement from his Team Visma-Lease a Bike. No word yet on his participation in the Giro (4-26 May), but it seems doubtful.

The 29-year-old leader of Visma-Lease a Bike hit the asphalt in a high-speed descent 68 kilometers from the finish at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Van Aert immediately grabbed his collarbone and his shoulder was badly scraped. Tears flowed from the leader of Visma-Lease a Bike, who was taken away on a stretcher, just like Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek), who also suffered a broken collarbone. Both underwent surgery in Herentals on Wednesday evening.

Several big names were involved in the crash: the Dane Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and the Eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). Only Pedersen, the winner in Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday, was able to continue his way. The damage seemed to be minor for him.