Can Wout Van Aert still get it in time for the World Championships after brutal crash? Evenepoel offers words of encouragement

It was THE big cycling news on Tuesday, September 3, and continued to be on Wednesday, September 4: Wout van Aert crashed during the 16th stage of the Vuelta a España but fortunately did not suffer any fractures—this was confirmed again on Wednesday morning. However, there remains some uncertainty about the Belgian's race schedule, as he is dealing with a deep wound on his knee...

Normally, the 29-year-old Van Aert—who has already crashed ten (!) times this year—was supposed to compete in the European Cycling Championships in his home country (September 15), the Road World Championships in Zurich (September 29), and the Gravel World Championships in Leuven on October 6, after the Tour of Spain. But now it is very much in question whether he will be able to participate in any of these races at all, which is certainly causing additional headaches for national coach Sven Vanthourenhout.

Can Van Aert still make it to the European Championships and/or World Championships?

"Everything depends on which tissues damaged," explains Kris Vandermieren, sports doctor for the Belgian cycling federation, to Sporza. "I can't say anything specific about Wout's wound, but generally, we see these injuries often in cyclists. There is a skin wound, and then you have to check if the kneecap is affected. Between those is the tendon tissue, which is subjected to enormous forces in cyclists."

According to Vandermieren, everything must first heal, and there is simply no other option. "The healing process occurs in three stages. First, everything needs to be cleaned up. Second, new tissue must be created, and third, that tissue must become stronger," he explains. And how might this relate to his potential participation in the European or World Championships? "If it's only the skin, it should be manageable. If the tendon tissue is also affected, it takes longer to regenerate all the fibers and bring them up to an elite level. In that case, we're talking about weeks to months. So, in the first scenario, making it to the World Championships is not impossible. In the second scenario, Van Aert faces a longer rehabilitation."

Evenepoel encourages Van Aert

Remco Evenepoel, who is currently racing in the Tour of Britain, commented on Van Aert's crash and the possibility that he might have to compete in the championship without another key teammate. "Let's hope he'll be there at the World Championships," said the "Aero Bullet of Schepdaal" in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. "It's always a shame to see someone like him have to drop out, especially when he's doing so well."

"It's very unfortunate, and I wish him all the best," Evenepoel added in the Belgian newspaper. "Hopefully, he recovers quickly. Wout is someone who can easily overcome setbacks, although it's tough to deal with this when you're getting back to peak form."