🇪🇸 #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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- I think you overestimate scientific knowledge and for sure the spreading of it. There are huge numbers of people in similar situations, if there were an easy solution somebody would be making big money out of it. Nerve pain can have many complex origins or be due to complex combinations of reasons. Even if you discover a reason there is not always a solution. Migraines haven’t been solved either. I have had lower back/hip nerve pains on and off for over 30 years, no kind of doctor has ever found a way to reduce, prevent or solve the problem. It may just be that some people are born with nerves that are too short or get twisted out of position during certain movements.Mistermaumau22-12-2024
- Amazing ride by her and very promising for her future. On a side note, it’s a bit worrying all these wins riders have after emotional moments in their lives, someone will come up with emotional doping at some point. Maybe give them fake news just before a big race to get hormones pumping.Mistermaumau22-12-2024
- I doubt he will have the energy to do that if he continues to do leadout for Phillipsenabstractengineer22-12-2024
- I know several people who’ve tried contacting sport airbag manufacturers and none of them ever got a reply. Might be hard to organise anything with such attitudes.Mistermaumau22-12-2024
- It's the BBC. Who cares outside of little Britain.leodis22-12-2024
- Crawl back under your stone.leodis22-12-2024
- Thanks Dadmobk22-12-2024
- Hard to believe with the advancment of modern medicine he can not find a cause for this.frieders321-12-2024
- You continue to platform these two cheats. With that in mind I can no longer use your site. I know my leaving means little, but, sometimes you have to take a stand. See ya!DJ21-12-2024
- Look at what Froome’s won since his last TdF, stop denying there is still more than possible one outcome to the future.Mistermaumau21-12-2024