Wout van Aert Withdraws from Tour de France Due to Elbow Injury: Visma Confirms Absence
Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert will be absent from the upcoming Tour de France due to an elbow injury, as confirmed by his team, Visma. Despite winning the Paris-Roubaix classic earlier this year, van Aert's injury has not healed sufficiently for him to compete in the prestigious race. The injury occurred during a training fall before the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes stage race, leading to an infection in the wound on his elbow, ultimately forcing him to withdraw from the competition. Van Aert expressed his disappointment at missing the Tour de France, a significant event in his annual racing calendar. The team emphasized the importance of prioritizing van Aert's health and recovery, leading to the decision to withdraw him from the race. A replacement for van Aert will be announced by Visma on June 23, ahead of the Tour de France selection presentation.