"Ultimately his health comes first" - Visma release statement as Wout van Aert will miss Tour de France in huge blow to Vingegaard

Wout van Aert will not start the 2026 Tour de France in a huge blow for Team Visma | Lease a Bike. After the Paris Roubaix winner's wounds from a training fall became infected, his recovery has not gone to plan and he has had to withdraw from the Grand Tour.

After his Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes abandonment, van Aert travelled to Belgium for a check-up and the team have now confirmed that after his infection was confirmed, he spent a night in hospital. After consultation, the focus switched to recovery as it became clear that the July 4th Grand Depart would come too soon.

A team statement read: "During the race, an infection unexpectedly developed in the wound on his elbow, forcing him to abandon the race. This week, the wound was cleaned again in hospital, and he also spent one night under observation in hospital.

"After consultation between Van Aert, the medical staff, and the performance coaches of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, it has been decided that full recovery is the priority and Van Aert’s health comes first."

Van Aert himself expressed his disappointment, but stressed that the decision was taken together with the team to ensure he returns to his best shape later this season.

The Belgian said: “This is of course a big disappointment. The Tour de France is one of my main goals every year. Unfortunately, a crash during training has put a spanner in the works, and the injury to my elbow has worsened and has still not healed sufficiently.

"Together with the team, we have concluded that starting the Tour in top form is not feasible at this point. My full focus is now on my recovery so I can return to my best level later this season.”

Race coach Marc Reef echoed van Aert in that the move was for both the rider and the team's best interest as he admitted that the team will miss the Belgian's attributes in France.

Reef said: "Wout is one of the most important riders in our team and we would obviously have loved to have him at the start of the Tour. In recent days we have explored all options, but ultimately his health comes first.

"With the recovery process required, it is not possible for him to reach top form in time for the Tour de France. It is unfortunate that he will not be there, but we are convinced this is the right decision for his recovery and the rest of his season.”

The news represents a blow to Jonas Vingegaard, who loses one of his most versatile teammates just over two weeks before the Tour. Van Aert was set to be a key man, like in previous seasons, in the the Dane's bid to compete with Tadej Pogacar and win his third Tour de France title.