© Getty Images
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
What a disaster for Wout van Aert in the Vuelta. Our compatriot fell twice in the 16th stage, the first time without serious consequences, but the second crash in the descent of the Collada Llomena led to his abandonment. A drama, because Wout van Aert – who was part of the leading group – saw his (almost certain) green jersey and a possible polka dot jersey pierced through his nose. A deathly pale and distorted Wout van Aert sat in the back of the team car with a bloody right knee and could not continue. “I’m going to turn away in a minute”, the camera could register from his mouth.
Michael Van Damme, Vincent Van Genechten and Hugo Coorevits
Today at 16:36
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Wout van Aert had just taken the full spoils for the polka dot jersey from the leading group on the Collada Llomena and took the descent in the wake of Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla). The German fell and a fraction later Van Aert also went off the bend. He hit the mountainside hard with his right flank. Van Aert tried to continue his way for a while, but he could no longer pedal and a bit later he applied the brakes. He sat in the back of the team car with a bloody right knee and groaned in pain. Van Aert’s face looked pale and our compatriot even feared losing consciousness for a moment.
Van Aert has been selected for the European Championships in a week and a half and the World Championships in just over three weeks, but those matches are also at risk.
The images of the assignment:
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The images of the second fall:
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The images of the first fall:
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