Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert is set to miss next month's Tour de France due to an elbow injury.
The 31-year-old, who won the Paris-Roubaix in April, is a key figure for Team Visma alongside four-time Grand Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard.
Van Aert sustained the injury after crashing during training ahead of last week's Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stage race in France. The injury was further complicated by an infection that developed in his elbow.
"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 still has not healed sufficiently," Van Aert said.
According to a statement from Visma, the wound was cleaned in hospital, where Van Aert spent one night under observation. However, the injury has failed to recover in time for the race.
Often regarded as the nearly man of cycling's golden era of exceptional talents, Van Aert had been in impressive form, highlighted by his victory over four-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar at Paris-Roubaix.
Visma are expected to announce Van Aert's replacement on 23 June, with the Tour de France scheduled to begin in Barcelona on 4 July.
