Wout van Aert, the talented young Belgian who was tipped to win the stage 13 time-trial around Pau, has abandoned the Tour de France after crashing into a barrier and suffering a flesh would to his thigh.
The 24-year-old Jumbo-Visma rider was coming round a fast right-hander when his front wheel caught the metal barrier on the inside of the turn, which sent him crashing to the ground. He was quickly given medical assistance at the side of the road before being taken to hospital in an ambulance.
“Wout van Aert unfortunately has to abandon the race after his crash,” Jumbo-Visma tweeted. ”He is conscious and has a flesh wound at his right upper leg.”
At the time he was running second overall in time-trial, behind his compatriot Thomas De Gendt, and looked set to deliver another impressive ride in what is only his first Grand Tour.
Van Aert won stage 10 in a bunch sprint against some strong and experienced riders including Peter Sagan and Elia Viviani, and has played a key role in a brilliant Tour thus far for Jumbo-Visma, who have won four stages already.
He is considered one of the best young riders in cycling as a multiple cyclo-cross world champion and reigning Belgian national time-trial champion.
