"I think he clipped my back wheel" - Tiesj Benoot feels guilt after Wout van Aert crashes out of Dwars Door Vlaanderen with broken collarbone

Team Visma | Lease a Bike were rocked in a big way on Wednesday afternoon as Wout van Aert left Dwars Door Vlaanderen 2024 in the back of an ambulance after a hard crash. Speaking post-race, Tiesj Benoot detailed what exactly caused the incident.

“Our plan was to go to the Kanarieberg,” Benoot told Eurosport after finishing 4th with Matteo Jorgenson securing the win for Visma. “The Van Dijke brothers did a great lead-out towards the climb. Tim had finished his turn when they passed us on the left. Wout shouted at me to speed up, which I did. But I think he tapped my back wheel when I stood up. I feel really bad about it, to be honest. I hope he's okay, I don't know anything.”

Since Benoot's interview, more details have emerged on the condition of van Aert with the Belgian being diagnosed with a broken collarbone and broken ribs, sadly ruling him out of the upcoming Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race.

For Benoot however, the race did continue and along with Jorgenson, they assured the day wasn't a complete write-off for Team Visma | Lease a Bike. “Afterwards I was a bit confused, but Matteo still went on the climb. That ultimately turned out to be a good decision. We played well in the final. Personally, I am also satisfied with my performance after my heavy fall on Friday (in the E3 Saxo Classic, ed.). It was again much better than in Gent Wevelgem," Benoot concludes. "But I am very disappointed about what happened to Wout.”