Wout van Aert out for rest of season with 'serious' knee injury
Visma-Lease a Bike rider requires intravenous antibiotics to reduce infection risk


Wout van Aert will not race again in 2024 after suffering a "serious" knee injury at the Vuelta a España, his Visma-Lease a Bike team has announced.
The 29-year-old slid out on a wet descent on stage 16 of the Grand Tour, crashing into a rocky edge and abandoning the race. In the moments afterwards, blood streamed from his right knee and elbow, although later scans revealed he had no fractures.
In a press release shared on Thursday, Visma-Lease a Bike said Van Aert's injuries require "intensive care" and antibiotics.
"Wout van Aert will not race any more this season," the team said. "The rider from Visma-Lease a Bike needs time to recover from his crash in the Vuelta a España. He suffered a serious knee injury that will require intensive care.
"Van Aert stays in the hospital in Belgium, where he will receive intravenous antibiotics to minimise the risk of infection. He will then take a break to make a full recovery before cautiously setting his sights on the next season."
The Belgian was leading both the points and mountains classifications, having previously worn the red leader's jersey, when he abandoned the Vuelta. He won three stages of the race, marking his first victories since he fractured his collarbone, sternum and seven ribs at Dwars door Vlaanderen in March.
Speaking about Van Aert's latest knee injury, his sports director Grischa Niermann said the rider had "deep wounds" that required stitches.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"As I understand from the doctors, the good news is there are no fractures, but it's still a real injury," Niermann said. "He feels really sorry for himself that he has to leave the race. He had big goals. He wanted to win the green jersey and the mountains jersey, and we wanted to win at least another stage with him. And, of course, there are goals for him after this Vuelta, with the European Championships and with the Worlds.
"It is like this. I know Wout, I know he will come back even stronger – but for now, he's not in the best place."
This year's European Road Championships are taking place between next week in Limburg, Belgium, in Van Aert's home region of Flanders. The 29-year-old was expected to be among the favourites at the event, as well as at the World Championships scheduled in Zurich later this month.
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
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is fluent in French and Spanish, and holds a master's degree in International Journalism. Since 2020, he has been the host of The TT Podcast, offering race analysis and rider interviews.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill, and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. His best result is 28th in a hill-climb competition, albeit out of 40 entrants.
-
Lidl-Trek, EF Education-EasyPost among first teams to seize ‘the only chance to race in the United States’
With a world-class field of competitors, organisers hope to showcase professional cycling to American spectators and reignite fan interest
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'This sucks': Brixton Cycles closes its doors after 42 years
Iconic London shop announces closure after premises listed on property site
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I never thought in a million years I would beat Wout in a sprint' - Neilson Powless shocks with improbable Dwars door Vlaanderen win
Visma-Lease a Bike put on a show of force ahead of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday but came away without the victory in Waregem
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m left with ambitions I no longer get to chase' - 26-year-old pro cyclist forced to retire over heart issues
Lars van den Berg reveals "worst nightmare" with cardiologists revealing that the risks are "too great"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel vs Wout van Aert: Cyclo-cross World Championships form guide
Van Aert was a surprise addition to the CX Worlds lineup last weekend after he was initially not scheduled to race in Liévin
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Changing the final Tour de France stage in Paris is an exciting prospect but I think it should be for one year only
The race's organisers were reported to be exploring the possibility of bringing the cobbled streets of Montmartre into the race’s final stage in Paris this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Should Wout van Aert ride for GC at a Grand Tour?
The Belgian superstar's main ambitions in 2025 are finally winning the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tom Pidcock to miss cyclocross season to build for road with new Q36.5 team
Former world champ says he won’t race his CX bike this winter, Wout van Aert will ride six races
By Tom Thewlis Published