Cycling: Wout Van Aert's participation at Giro d'Italia uncertain after post-crash surgery

Wout van Aert's participation at this year's Giro d'Italia is in doubt, his Team Visma-Lease a Bike said after the Belgian rider underwent surgery for fractures sustained in a crash at the Dwars door Vlaanderen one-day race. Van Aert crashed 65 kilometres from the finish on Wednesday, following which he pulled out of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

"Wout van Aert had a successful operation today. Examination revealed that he suffered a broken sternum, broken collarbone and several broken ribs," Team Visma-Lease a Bike said in a statement on Thursday. "It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on his bike. The next few weeks will be all about his recovery.

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"He will, therefore, miss the spring classics. His participation in the Giro d'Italia is still uncertain. We will make a decision in the coming weeks based on his recovery."

The Giro d'Italia will take place from May 4-26.