Lotto-Intermarché's climbing gem sidelined by a knee injury suffered in a training crash

Jarno Widar's arrival to WorldTour has been one of the most anticipated professional debuts of 2026, however the under-23 world champion has only seven competition racedays to his name this season and doesn't seem overly in rush to add more for the time being.

Widar started this season on a high with a fourth place at the Figueira Champions Classic. He followed-up with a strong showing at the Volta ao Algarve where the GC slipped through his fingers after a disastrous time trial, but a 7th place atop Malhão on the race's final day was a reason for careful optimism.

However the season has gone sideways for the young Lotto-Intermarché climber whose last race start was a DNF at the Faun-Ardeche Classic at the end of February. Since then, Widar was originally set for a WorldTour debut at Strade Bianche and later the Itzulia Basque Country before shifting his focus towards Ardennes where he's forecasted to have a great potential in the future.

But the three one-day races no longer appear in Widar's calendar as the nearest future appointment at the moment is the Tour de Suisse in June.

His team now explains via a press statement what's the reason behind Widar's lengthy absence:

"Jarno Widar will not be able to start the Ardennes Classics following a crash in training during which he injured his left knee," the Belgian team said. "This injury is causing him discomfort that is preventing Jarno from performing at his best and is forcing him to take a period of time off the bike."

Beyond the Swiss race, Widar's summer is planned around a Vuelta a Espana participation. The young rider has an undeniable climbing talent, and thanks to his small frame (listed at 1,66 m and 54 kg) and explosiveness, he should find the traditional Spanish unipuerto finishes with rampas inhumanas rather suited to his characteristics. And while 2026 is more about getting accustomed, he could return as a GC contender in the future.