OfLorenzo Nicolao
For the Visma runner, broken clavicle, sternum and seven ribs. The story in a documentary film. The dream of returning for the Tour and Olympics
Just over a month has passed since the terrible accident Dwars door Vlaanderen («Through Flanders»), which also involved Biniam Girmay, Jasper Stuyven and Mads Pedersen, but Wout van Aert he has only now managed to relive and recount those terrible moments. The 29-year-old Belgian was among the favorites in the race. Then the big bend and the fall in which he suffered a fracture of his collarbone, sternum and seven ribs. The image of the rider on the ground with his shirt torn, crying and unable to move is clear to everyone, but the cyclist commented for the first time on the drama of the hours and days following the accident in a documentary film that his team released published and disseminated in recent days, in view of Classics of spring.
The words of the Belgian
In a documentary titled «The Spring Classics: Road to Resilience» in which the fulcrum and narrative voice is Van Aert himself, there is the story of the accident that caused his failure to participate in the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the impossibility of taking part in the Tour of France in a few days Italy. “It was the worst half hour of my life,” he explained. «I immediately understood that it was something serious. I was on the ground and couldn’t move. It was terrible, because I was in so much pain. Only the powerful drugs they gave me in hospital helped me.” A drama also from a psychological point of view. «It was a shock right away. I was not only desperate because of the physical pain I was experiencing at that moment, but also because I immediately realized it that was vanishing the whole season in an instant, just when you felt at your best athletic condition. I will certainly remember it among the saddest moments of my life.”
His regret also for the failure to participate in the Giro d’Italia, which will begin over the weekend, an occasion in which he would certainly have been a protagonist with the Visma. «This year Paris-Roubaix already saddened me a lot, losing it and only seeing it on television was mentally one of the hardest moments», the Belgian finally said.
The return to the saddle
However, the runner has made an excellent recovery in recent days, since he’s already back in the saddle, even on the street, while following the times established by doctors. «They told me that the recovery is going well. Wearing shorts again is a great feeling.” However, Van Aert is under no illusions because, in light of what happened, he knows he too will have to be satisfied with only the second part of the season. Forced to change the calendar set at the beginning of the year, the dream is currently entirely French. Participation in the Paris Olympics is still a viable goal, but the Belgian’s desire would be to get there with as many kilometers as possible on his legs. Maybe with a surprising appearance at Tour de Francewhich will begin at the end of June and will end just a few days before the start of the Games.
May 2, 2024 (modified May 2, 2024 | 11:37)
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