Overview
- Team Visma announced Wednesday that van Aert will not start the July 4 Tour de France because he has not recovered to the required level.
- The injury began after a training crash before the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and an infection developed in a wound on his elbow during that warm-up race.
- Van Aert received hospital treatment this week, including a wound cleaning and one night under observation, but the team says healing remains insufficient.
- His withdrawal removes a key teammate for leader Jonas Vingegaard, weakening Visma’s options for sprints, classics-style efforts, and stage support against rivals such as Tadej Pogacar.
- Visma will present its final Tour roster on June 23 and will announce van Aert’s replacement then; van Aert says his focus is on recovery so he can return later in the season.