Tour setback for Wout van Aert as elbow infection threatens altitude camp

Van Aert returned to Belgium for further examination after withdrawing from the Tour Auvergne Rhône Alpes, the former Critérium du Dauphiné, on Friday, less than 24 hours after winning stage 5.

The 31-year-old had been struggling with pain and swelling around the elbow he injured in a training crash last week. Although he was able to race through the discomfort on Thursday and take victory in the bunch sprint, his condition worsened afterwards and he was unable to continue the following day.

HLN now reports that tests have confirmed an infection in the wound. As a result, Van Aert will have to stay off the bike for several days while the injury is treated.

The diagnosis has created uncertainty over the next phase of his Tour de France preparation. Van Aert had been due to travel with Visma | Lease a Bike to an altitude training camp in Tignes on Monday, but the team has not yet decided whether he will be able to join his teammates.

For now, the situation will be assessed day by day. Much will depend on how quickly the infection responds to treatment and whether the swelling and pain ease enough for Van Aert to resume training and continue his preparations for the Tour de France.

The issue is unrelated to the illness that forced teammates Per Strand Hagenes and Jørgen Nordhagen out of the race. HLN reports that Van Aert’s withdrawal was caused exclusively by the infected wound on his elbow.

Van Aert is expected to combine support duties for Jonas Vingegaard with opportunities of his own at the Tour. The timing of the injury is especially unfortunate, as he had identified the opening weekend in Barcelona as one of his main targets.

Speaking to Domestique last month, the Belgian said the first stages of the race were already firmly on his mind.

“I already have my mind set on the opening weekend,” he said. “I don’t think there will be a huge number of chances for me on this route, but in the first weekend, I think there will be.”