Van Aert Returns With A Win After Surviving A Massive Crash In Denmark

Wout van Aert needed only one day of racing to return to victory. The Belgian won the opening stage of the Tour of Denmark in Aalborg, beating a reduced group in the sprint and taking the first leader’s jersey of the five-day race.

The result was particularly significant after Van Aert’s difficult build-up. An elbow wound suffered in a training crash became infected during the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and ultimately forced him to miss the Tour de France. Denmark marked his return to competition and the beginning of a new block aimed at the Vuelta a España and the World Championships.

His comeback was almost disrupted by another accident. A mass crash with around 72 kilometres remaining affected approximately 40 riders and split the peloton into two groups. Van Aert was among those caught in the incident, but he was able to continue. The race eventually regrouped following a long chase led in part by Unibet Rose Rockets.

Two short but demanding climbs on the final circuit broke up the peloton again. The remaining attacks were caught with just over ten kilometres to go, leaving eight riders at the front to contest the victory in Aalborg.

Van Aert launched his sprint from the centre of the group and accelerated past his rivals in the closing metres. Lukáš Kubiš finished second and Henrik Pedersen took third, while the Visma-Lease a Bike rider celebrated the 54th professional victory of his career.

One victory cannot answer every question about Van Aert’s condition over longer and harder stages, but the opening day delivered an encouraging message. His explosiveness remains intact, his elbow allowed him to race without an obvious problem and his preparation for the Vuelta is moving forward again after a summer disrupted by injury.