Van Aert forgoes national championship
Wout van Aert will not be at the start of the Belgian cycling championships in Middelkerke on Sunday. The reigning champion hit his knee at the handlebar during a training session in Tignes last weekend, which caused minor irritation in the past few days.
Because the Tour de France starts next Friday, Van Aert will take it easy until Sunday. In Copenhagen, the six-time Tour stage winner will be competing as planned.
Van Aert relinquishes the national title with a heavy heart, but with a view to the Tour he wants to avoid the risk of the injury bothering him next week. "I think it's a real shame that I can't defend my jersey. I would normally never forgo a Belgian championship. I also regret missing the time trial because it just didn't fit the schedule. However, this is the wisest decision because I don't want to jeopardize the Tour", the 27-year-old rider from Herentals said. Tiesj Benoot, Nathan Van Hooydonck and Tosh Van der Sande will represent Team Jumbo-Visma in the Belgian title race.
