Wout van Aertwho has just signed a “lifetime” contract with his Visma – Lease A Bike team, made his first appearance in front of the press on Wednesday to present a new awareness campaign aimed at encouraging young people not to use their phones while cycling.
Having fallen on the roads of the Vuelta on September 3rd while he was a solid leader in the points and mountain classifications, the Belgian rider was forced to abandon due to a fairly serious injury to his right knee.
WVAwho had been in a Spanish hospital for several days to avoid the risk of infection of the wound, still has a swollen knee 15 days later and has to move around on crutches.
“Staying longer than expected in Spain was a first frustration, said Wout van Aert during his press conference. I received a fairly aggressive antibiotic treatment, we didn’t want to take any risks. The second frustration? When I returned to Belgium, it was found that there was a bruise at the joint. This explained why I was in so much pain and why it was so difficult to put weight on my leg. I couldn’t do anything for ten days, I just lay on the couch.“
Enough to pass the milestone of thirty (he “celebrated” his 30th birthday on September 15) in a rather gloomy atmosphere… “Last week was probably the saddest week of my life.the Belgian cyclist continued with a smile on his lips. I also got the stomach flu! But now that my stitches have been removed, I can work on my mobility properly at the physio. My knee is still swollen, but I can put on jeans again. Last week, that was impossible.“
Wout van Aert will therefore be able to truly begin his rehabilitation in the coming days. With the aim of being in shape for the cyclocross season this winter.I don’t have any fractures, I hope to be able to get back on a bike soon, details the triple World Champion of the specialty. But my right leg has to get back strong enough first. When you’re immobilized for ten days, your muscles disappear. I don’t have a specific schedule yet, but you’ll definitely see me at the cyclocross races this winter. I was forced to rest earlier than in a normal season, and if I start training earlier than usual as well, it’s possible that I’ll be at a lot of cross-country races.“
