"My spring is over in the blink of an eye" - Jasper Stuyven with 'unfinished business' after undergoing successful surgery for broken collarbone

Jasper Stuyven has shown some brilliant form so far in 2024 and was considered by some a threat for victory this weekend at the Tour of Flanders. Sadly, those hopes came crashing down in brutal fashion on Wednesday at Dwars Door Vlaanderen.

Involved in a mass crash that also took out his Lidl-Trek teammate, Mads Pedersen and pre-race favourite, Wout van Aert, Stuyven has now undergone successful surgery on a broken collarbone. "Two years of suffering in the classics and fighting to get back to that level. Many training camps and sacrifices and then 2024 turns out to be that year where I manage to not only ride finals again, but perhaps reach my best level ever," Stuyven reports on his official Instagram account.

"A huge blow that my spring is over in the blink of an eye. It’s also the first (collarbone) fracture in my career, a first time for everything," the 31-year-old continues. "I sincerely hope that in the coming races the team Lidl-Trek can continue the great results we started with."

"Thanks for all the messages of support from all of you! I hope to recover quickly after a successful surgery in Herentals, with special thanks to fam Claes for their help and quick work! I will also take the time to make my recovery in most optimal way as possible," Stuyven concludes. "Unfinished business!"