Paris-Roubaix champion Wout Van Aert will not start next month’s Tour de France after suffering complications from an elbow injury.His withdrawal is a major blow for Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Jonas Vingegaard’s chances of the yellow jersey, with Van Aert playing a key role in both of the Dane’s previous overall victories.Van Aert, 31, returned to racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes earlier this month, the rebranded Criterium du Dauphine, winning stage five.However, the Belgian had to withdraw the following morning due to ongoing elbow discomfort from a crash suffered in training before the race.“During the race, an infection unexpectedly developed in the wound on his elbow, forcing him to abandon the race,” a statement from Visma-Lease a Bike on Wednesday explained. “This week, the wound was cleaned again in hospital, and he also spent one night under observation in hospital.“After consultation between Van Aert, the medical staff, and the performance coaches, it has been decided that full recovery is the priority and Van Aert’s health comes first. For this reason, he will not be included in the selection for the Tour de France.”Van Aert has massive pedigree in the Tour, having previously won 10 stages, including over Mont Ventoux and on Montmartre, and earned the green jersey in 2022. Memorably, when helping Vingegaard to victory that year, his turn as a domestique dropped Tadej Pogacar over the famed Hautacam in the Pyrenees.Options to replace Van Aert include British pair Matthew Brennan and Ben Tulett, as well as Norwegian rider Per Strand Hagenes. The team will announce their final squad on June 23.“This is of course a big disappointment,” said Van Aert. “The Tour de France is one of my main goals every year. Unfortunately, a crash during training has put a spanner in the works, and the injury to my elbow has worsened and has still not healed sufficiently.“Together with the team, we have concluded that starting the Tour in top form is not feasible at this point. My full focus is now on my recovery so I can return to my best level later this season.”The Tour de France begins in Barcelona with a team trial in Barcelona on July 4, a discipline in which the Belgian would have played a key role.Van Aert’s next scheduled race is the Vuelta a Espana this August.Jun 17, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms