Due to an elbow injury, Belgian rider Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard’s (Visma | Lease a Bike) most crucial partner, will not be able to compete in the Tour de France, greatly hurting his chances of winning the trophy again.
The Belgian cyclist is “still dealing with the effects of an elbow injury and has not recovered in time to start the Tour de France at the required level,” according to a statement released by the team.
The Visma-Lease a Bike rider will now miss the French Grand Tour for the first time since 2018, despite being anticipated to be a crucial support rider for Jonas Vingegaard’s chances of regaining the yellow jersey.
Van Aert had to be admitted to the hospital after suffering an elbow injury while training before the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes due to an infection. The team has now determined that he needs to relax in order to heal completely from the injury.
Naturally, this is a major letdown. In a statement posted on the team’s website, Van Aert stated, “One of my main goals every year is the Tour de France.”Regretfully, my elbow injury has gotten worse and hasn’t fully recovered after a mishap while training put a spanner in the works. As a squad, we have determined that it is currently not possible to begin the Tour in peak form. I’m now totally focused on getting better so I can play at my peak later this season.”
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the Tour de France gets underway. The 113th edition will begin with a 19.7-kilometer team time trial in Barcelona, Spain.
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