🇪🇸 #LaVuelta24 It's with a heavy heart we can confirm that Wout van Aert has abandoned the Vuelta a España following a crash during stage 16. Further updates will follow.
ANALYSIS | Wout van Aert crashes out of the Vuelta: What it means for his season
CyclingTuesday, 03 September 2024 at 17:24
In an unfortunate turn of events, Wout van Aert has crashed
for the second time on Stage 16 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, forcing him to
abandon the race. The Belgian star from Team Visma | Lease a Bike had been in
phenomenal form, however, his hopes of another stage win came crashing down on
a wet and treacherous descent.
Let’s take a look at what happened, and how this unfortunate
crash will affect Van Aert’s season, and the remaining stages of the Vuelta.
Van Aert’s Season
Earlier in the stage, Van Aert had shown incredible
resilience, bouncing back from his first crash to rejoin the day's breakaway.
His determination was rewarded, as he took maximum points on each of the first
two categorized climbs, showcasing his ability to excel on various terrains. Prior
to his crash, Van Aert was leading both the points and mountains
classifications simultaneously, a rare accomplishment in the world of
professional cycling.
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Typically, these jerseys are won by riders with completely
different skill sets—sprinters dominate the points classification, while pure
climbers vie for the mountain’s jersey. For Van Aert to be in contention for
both underscored his versatility and talent.
However, disaster struck on a wet and slippery descent. In
the middle of a fierce battle for stage success, Van Aert crashed hard into a
roadside gutter, along with Engelhardt and del Toro. While the other two riders
managed to continue after their falls, it was immediately clear that Van Aert
was in serious trouble. The Belgian hero got back on his bike, but it became
evident that he could not continue. The television cameras showed a nasty cut
on his knee, and the grimace on Van Aert’s face indicated he was in considerable
distress. Unable to push forward, he was forced to abandon the race.
Impact on the World Championships
Van Aert’s crash could have significant implications for his
chances at the 2024 World Championships, where he was expected to be one of the
main contenders for the gold medal. Van Aert secured a silver medal in the 2023
World Championships and was looking to go one step further this year in Zurich.
However, given the severity of his injury, his participation now hangs in the
balance. If his recovery is slow, the likes of Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der
Poel, and Remco Evenepoel will face one less major rival in their quest for the
rainbow jersey.
Mountain Classification
Before his crash, Van Aert was in an enviable position in
the mountain’s classification, having taken maximum points on the early climbs
of Stage 16. However, with his withdrawal, Jay Vine of UAE Team Emirates now
takes over the lead in the mountain’s classification. Vine’s resurgence in this
competition is particularly notable, as the Australian has had a tough year
himself, suffering vertebrae fractures in a crash that also injured Jonas
Vingegaard in the Basque Country. Vine will now be the rider to watch in the
remaining mountain stages, as he seeks to consolidate his position.
Points Classification
Van Aert also looked set to claim the green jersey in the
points classification, having been the dominant force in this competition for
much of the race. However, his crash has opened the door for Alpecin's Kaden
Groves, who has been Van Aert’s closest rival throughout the Vuelta. With Van
Aert out, Groves takes over the green jersey, and given his sprinting prowess,
he’s a worthy wearer of the prestigious points jersey. Groves will now look to
defend the green jersey in the remaining stages, as Van Aert’s unfortunate exit
leaves the Australian in pole position to claim victory in the competition.
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