Wout van Aert has already had successful surgery for a broken chest and collarbone: “It is unclear when he will be back on the bike”

Wout van Aert successfully underwent surgery on his broken sternum and collarbone on Thursday. Visma-Lease a Bike confirms this via social media. The Kempen native suffered a heavy fall on Wednesday in Dwars door Vlaanderen and can therefore cross the rest of the Flemish spring.

“Wout van Aert underwent successful surgery today,” the Dutch formation confirms via ‘X’. “Examination showed that he fractured his sternum, collarbone and several ribs.”

Van Aert was the first to fall in Dwars door Vlaanderen in the descent towards the Kanarieberg and immediately grabbed his collarbone. Tears flowed from the leader of Visma – Lease a Bike, who was taken away on a stretcher just like Jasper Stuyven. The co-leader of Lidl-Trek also broke his collarbone. Gianni Vermeersch also fell hard, he even fell over. Also there: Alex Kirsh, Michele Gazzoli, Anthony Turgis, Harry Sweeny and Brent Van Moer.

Van Aert then went to the emergency room of the hospital in Ronse. According to our information, it turned out that Van Aert had suffered several fractures and required stitches. The hard verdict: no Tour and Roubaix…

That news was confirmed by his team itself on Tuesday 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.” Van Aert was meanwhile taken by ambulance to Herentals, where he underwent surgery.

“It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on the bike,” the Visma-Lease a Bike statement continues. “The coming weeks will be all about his recovery. He will therefore miss the spring classics. His participation in the Giro d’Italia is still uncertain. We will make a decision in the coming weeks based on his recovery.”