Team Visma | Lease a Bike provide update on Wout van Aert's medical situation: "It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on his bike"

Wout van Aert was the worst affected rider of a high-speed and shocking crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen which took out many of the race's and the Tour of Flanders' favourites. His health situation is difficult and the team admit that there is no idea when he will get back on the bike.

"Wout van Aert had a successful operation today. Examination revealed that he suffered a broken sternum, broken collarbone and several broken ribs," Team Visma | Lease a Bike said in a statement this afternoon. "It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on his bike. The next few weeks will be all about his recovery. He will, therefore, miss the spring classics. His participation in the Giro d'Italia is still uncertain. We will make a decision in the coming weeks based on his recovery."

This is a confirmation of the worries that had been presented which are that the Belgian may not only miss the cobbled monuments - his main goals of the season - but also the Giro where he was going to make his debut. Having fractured his sternum, collarbone and three ribs, it is very difficult that in the space of five weeks the versatile rider will be racing once again.

Despite this, the operations that he underwent in the Herentals hospital - where Jasper Stuyven was also taken to - have been successful and the Belgian is currently on track to recover as best as possible. "On behalf of Wout, we thank everyone for their support. He now hopes to continue his recovery in peace," the team concludes.