'I feared I might need an amputation' - Toon Aerts explains injury that has delayed his cyclocross campaign

Toon Aerts has admitted that he feared losing his leg after developing a serious infection following a crash at the PostNord Tour of Denmark. 

Aerts suffered a crash on the fifth and final stage of the Danish race on 2 August, leaving him with a fractured scaphoid and kneecap. Complications followed his surgery, with Aerts developing a fever three weeks after his knee operation. 

A series of blood tests revealed high inflammation markers, as his knee had become severely swollen and infected. The ordeal required emergency surgery, followed by another procedure to flush out the infection after his condition failed to improve, leading to a two-week stay in hospital. 

It marked the end of a strong road season that included his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia, where he finished second on stage 12, winning the group sprint behind solo victor Alec Segaert. 

Aerts admitted that the knee situation left him very panicked as he feared the worst. 

“It might sound ridiculous, and perhaps disrespectful to those who have actually experienced it, but for a moment, I feared I might need an amputation,” Aerts told Het Nieuwsblad.

While he is now firmly on the road to recovery, the complications have delayed his return to the cyclocross field and ruled him out of the European championships in Zeddam, where he would have been aiming to defend his title. 

Twelve months ago, Aerts powered to the European title in Middelkerke for the second time in his career, following his triumph in 2016.

While he will miss out on the defence of his title, Aerts admitted that he hopes to return in time for the World Championships in Ostend on 31 January 2027. 

Aerts took bronze when Ostend last hosted the Worlds back in 2021, though there were no crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I do hope to race in some cyclocross events this season, though I realise there’s a chance that might not happen. I’d love to make it to the World Championships in Ostend, to finally experience a World Championship with a crowd present," Aerts said.

In his absence, Aerts tipped his compatriot Joran Wyseure for victory on Sunday in the Netherlands. 

“My pick to win? Joran Wyseure. The course suits him well, and he always manages to find that extra gear when it comes to championships."

The 25-year-old has been one of the main protagonists in the early stages of the season, winning in Heerderstrand and Middelkerke. Wyseure also has proven credentials when it comes to championship racing. 

As an under-23, he soloed to the world title in Fayetteville in 2022. In the elite ranks, he secured a silver medal in the Belgian championships behind Eli Iserbyt in Meulebeke in 2024. Meanwhile, last season he took bronze at the Euros behind Aerts and Thibau Nys.

Wyseure will face stiff competition from the likes of former champions Nys and Michael Vanthourenhout.