Wout van Aert shouldn't race Paris-Roubaix after positive Covid-19 test, doctors claim
His Jumbo-Visma team will wait to see if he is fully fit before confirming his involvement, or lack thereof, in the Monument
Doctors have suggested Wout van Aert shouldn't race Paris-Roubaix on April 17, claiming he needs time to regain full fitness after testing positive for Covid-19 last week.
After returning a positive test last Thursday, Van Aert has spent a week in isolation, as per Belgium's rules. He missed the Tour of Flanders as a result, and Jumbo-Visma haven't confirmed when he will return to racing now he is able to leave his home.
Instead, the team will wait until Van Aert feels fit again, which could put his Paris-Roubaix involvement in jeopardy.
Jumbo-Visma's sporting director Arthur van Dongen told Het Laatste Nieuws: "It's too early to say anything sensible about that [his return].
“The first step in the process is to wait until Wout is no longer ill. We cannot say how many days that will take. When he feels fit again, we will do some medical checks. If those are good, the last step will come: then we have to see if it makes sense to let him race in terms of performance.”
UCI regulations stipulate riders to complete a series of medical and physiological tests in their return to racing from Covid-19. In order to compete in Paris-Roubaix next weekend, Van Aert would therefore have to prove his fitness to both his team and the governing body.
However, doctors have argued he shouldn't start the race at all.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
In response to Belgian pundit Michel Wuyts, who claimed Van Aert had a "50-50" chance of starting Paris-Roubaix, virologist Marc Van Ranst said the Jumbo-Visma shouldn't race the Monument so soon after contracting the virus.
Van Ranst tweeted: "The chance of Roubaix should not be 50-50 but zero. After a Covid-19 infection, the body (and thus the heart) should not be overloaded too quickly. Wout van Aert will win Paris-Roubaix, but not this year. It's best for professional athletes to take a full recovery and then build up slowly."
Belgian Cycling doctor, Tom Tueglinkx, concurs, suggesting a longer rest is preferable. Despite this, he also acknowledges Van Aert only suffered with mild symptoms of the virus, therefore making his situation somewhat different to the guidelines.
Tueglinkx said: "Our guideline is that after an infection you stay on the sidelines for at least seven, preferably 10, days. That's the general rule, but the final decision lies with the team doctor. One advantage is that Wout only had mild symptoms."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
Coros Vertix 2S review: a fine multi-sport watch with near-endless battery life
A versatile alternative to a bike computer with impressive battery life and rugged good looks
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
-
'I was in hospital six weeks ago': 80-year-old Brit wins three world titles
Former Olympian track cyclist Geoff Cooke trains up to 300 miles a week
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘Dear tiger': Why do Wout van Aert’s Strava files all have strange names?
The Visma-Lease a Bike rider has been feeling musical on a training camp
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Wout van Aert gets on his dancing shoes and Tom Pidcock gets a new puppy
Bringing you your regular cycling social media roundup
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert uploads Scotland training ride to Strava ahead of World Championships
The nine-time Tour de France stage winner has been out on his time trial bike in Stirling
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Amazon Prime Jumbo-Visma documentary: Five things we want to see
Six-part series available on Amazon Prime in the Benelux region from March 1
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW LIVE: Primož Roglič confirmed for Giro d'Italia 2023; Track rider hits 2,271 watts; NCL announces first two teams; Van Aert to ride cyclo-cross Worlds; Sram and Oakley team up with Jumbo-Visma; Rwanda unveils pump track: Evenepoel eyes Pogačar showdown
Join us as we round up the day's cycling news
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Is the love affair between Geraint Thomas and Oakley no more? Ineos Grenadiers to partner with SunGod for coming season; Tadej Pogačar's shiny new Colnago; new kit for Israel-Premier Tech in 2023 and Geraint Thomas confirms Giro return
The latest cycling news, as it happens
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Beating Argentina like outsprinting Van Aert and van der Poel says World Cup coach
‘We were with Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pogačar and we still crossed the line before them’ says Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert the latest star to sign lengthy contract, sticks with Jumbo-Visma until 2026
Multi-year deals are all the rage for the biggest riders, with Tom Pidcock, Tadej Pogačar, and Remco Evenepoel all tied down for at least four more years
By Adam Becket Published