Tour of Denmark crash ends Toon Aerts’ road season - Belgian eyes October cyclocross return despite fractures

Toon Aerts' breakthrough road season has come to a premature end after the Lotto-Intermarché rider suffered multiple fractures in a high-speed crash during the final stage of the Tour of Denmark. The Belgian will undergo surgery this week but is still targeting a return in time for the start of the cyclocross campaign.

Aerts crashed heavily in the final sprint of the Tour of Denmark on Sunday after becoming caught in a mass pile-up with around 300 metres remaining. Although the 32-year-old managed to cross the finish line, he immediately complained of pain in both his knee and wrist.

Further medical examinations on Monday confirmed the extent of his injuries, revealing a double fracture of the kneecap as well as a fractured scaphoid bone in his wrist. The Belgian is scheduled to undergo surgery on both injuries on Friday, bringing an immediate end to his 2026 road season.

Lotto-Intermarché confirmed the diagnosis in an official team statement while expressing confidence that Aerts will still be able to return for the cyclocross season.

“Toon Aerts sustained a double fracture of the kneecap and a scaphoid fracture following a crash in the final stage of the Tour of Denmark. He will undergo surgery this week. His return to competition is expected in late October for the cyclocross season, as originally planned. Despite this abrupt ending, we are especially proud of Toon’s first WorldTour season and wish him a smooth recovery.”

The crash brings an unfortunate conclusion to what had been the most successful road campaign of Aerts' career. The former cyclocross star made the road season a major priority for the first time in 2026 and quickly demonstrated his potential at WorldTour level.

He impressed with strong performances at Volta a Catalunya and the Giro d'Italia, while narrowly missing out on victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour, where he was caught just metres from the finish after a late solo attack.

Aerts also showed his speed in Denmark by sprinting to third place on stage two and to seventh on stage four. He was Lotto's top choice for sprints despite Milan Menten and Mathieu Kockelmann being present in the race as well.

Although his road campaign is over, Aerts is hopeful of returning in time for the start of the cyclocross season. His target remains 25 October, when the cyclocross race in Overijse is scheduled to take place, provided his rehabilitation progresses as expected.