Tour de France in doubt for Wout van Aert after injuring knee in training

This article originally appeared on Velo News

Wout van Aert's Tour de France could be in doubt after he picked up a knee injury in training.

The Jumbo-Visma rider will not defend his national road race title this weekend as he hopes to recover fully for a start at the Tour de France next week.

According to his team, Van Aert hit his knee on his handlebar during a training session, which caused some "minor irritation" in recent days. The 27-year-old was already scheduled to miss the time trial championships prior to the injury.

“I think it’s a real shame that I can’t defend my jersey. I would normally never forgo a Belgian championship. I also regret missing the time trial because it just didn’t fit the schedule. However, this is the wisest decision because I don’t want to jeopardize the Tour,” Van Aert said.

Also read:

• Tour de France bikes: Wout van Aert's Cervelo S5

• COVID-19 will '100 percent influence the Tour de France,' says Jumbo-Visma director Zeeman

• Wout van Aert: 'We are on the right way' for the Tour de France

Van Aert was named earlier this week as part of Jumbo-Visma's eight-man squad for the Tour de France, which will begin on Friday, July 1.

The Belgian has set his sights on going for the Tour's green points jersey and is a co-captain for the squad.

However, he will also be called in to assist his fellow co-captains Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard in their aim of toppling double Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar in the fight for the yellow jersey.

Jumbo-Visma is also set to take Sepp Kuss, Tiesj Benoot, Nathan Van Hooydonck, Christophe Laporte, and Steven Kruijswijk to the Tour.

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.