"Everything went according to plan..." - Niermann and Plugge lament Wout van Aert's illness ahead of Omloop het Nieuwsblad

Team Visma | Lease a Bike has had an incredibly unlucky start to the year and Wout van Aert has perhaps felt it the most. The Belgian suffered a fractured ankle in a crash but despite this followed through with his training schedule; however has now been pulled aside from Omloop het Nieuwsblad after falling ill.

"It's shit, but these things happen. Wout isn't the only one who's been sick these past few days,” team DS Grischa Niermann said in an interview with Sporza. "Wout is disappointed, because he really wanted to race here. But the most important month comes later. It's not that we should doubt that now. He's just been sick for a few days."

The temperatures at Sierra Nevada were quite low however this has happened after coming down from altitude. The veteran was set to be a key part of Omloop's lineup however this puts the team in a position to seek a sprint finish with Matthew Brennan.

"Everything went according to plan at the Sierra Nevada. Omloop wasn't our main goal, because Wout needs to be in top form in a few weeks. But everything really went as we wanted... The recovery from his broken ankle went well. Wout was ready to race and made progress in training," Niermann assures.

He tries not to put too much into it, although of course it is yet another obstacle in the way; whilst the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel continue to have a spotless winter. "Despite the fracture, he had a good preparation. That doesn't go away if you can't ride for a few days."

With Le Samyn on his schedule, that could end up being his first of the race. "No, I don't have a crystal ball. It's an option, and we're hoping for it, but we can't say for sure yet." If not, then most likely he will go straight into Strade Bianche without previous competition, as will be the case with Pogacar.

Team CEO Richard Plugge insisted on not being too affected by the back luck of the Belgian. "Let's look at it positively. The sun is shining, and the important appointments won't be here for a few weeks," he shared.

"It's a shame, especially for him. Wout is training hard and doing everything right. He invested a lot in his altitude training after his ankle injury. It's a shame it's affecting him now, but it's not just about Saturday. I'm glad it's happening now and not two days before the Tour of Flanders."