Van Aert has to end season after crash

Wout van Aert has ended his season prematurely after his Vuelta crash on Tuesday. The Belgian will therefore also miss the World Championships in Zurich, which begin in just over two weeks.

According to a press release from his team Visma-Lease a Bike, van Aert decided to recover from his knee injury. He sustained a deep cut on his right knee in a serious fall on the 16th stage of the Tour of Spain.

“Van Aert remains in hospital in Belgium, where he is receiving intravenous antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection,” his team said. “He needs time to recover.” The all-rounder did not suffer any fractures, but did have a serious knee injury. The 29-year-old won three stages of the Vuelta and led the points and mountain classification.