Ankle fracture ends Van Aert's cross season early
After getting off to a strong start at Exact Cross Mol on Friday, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) abandoned the race following a heavy fall in the snow, sustaining what would prove to be a broken ankle.
After the crash, Van Aert went to the hospital in Herentals for further evaluation, revealing "a small fracture," as Sporza reports. The injury brings a very early end to his cyclocross campaign and will require surgery, which he will undergo on Saturday.
"I was really looking forward to the race in Zonhoven and the Belgian Championship next week," Van Aert said. "But now I have to shift my focus to my recovery and then to preparing for the road season." [Sporza]
