Jonas Vingegaard's Tour de France ambitions suffered a blow on 18 Jun as teammate Wout van Aert announced his withdrawal due to an elbow injury.

What happened?

Van Aert crashed during training before the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, developing an infection in the wound on his elbow.

Why it matters for Jonas Vingegaard

The 31-year-old Van Aert, a versatile rider capable of winning on all ground, would have been a key teammate for two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard.

Van Aert spent one night under observation in hospital this week, and his team decided that full recovery is the priority.

What comes next?

Van Aert's replacement will be announced on 23 Jun, when the Team Visma | Lease a Bike roster for the event will be unveiled, with the Tour starting on 4 Jul.

The Belgian rider expressed disappointment, stating "The Tour de France is one of my main goals every year" and will now focus on his recovery.

Jonas Vingegaard will have to rely on other teammates to challenge Tadej Pogacar at cycling's biggest race.

Van Aert has won 10 Tour de France stages and earlier this season beat Pogacar in a dramatic sprint to win the prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day classic.

The injury is a significant setback for Van Aert, who was looking forward to competing in the Tour de France.

And now, Jonas Vingegaard's team will have to adjust their strategy without Van Aert.

But Van Aert is determined to return to his best level later this season.

So, the focus shifts to Jonas Vingegaard's ability to lead his team to victory without Van Aert's support.

The Tour de France starts on 4 Jul, and Jonas Vingegaard will face tough competition from Tadej Pogacar.

Van Aert's health comes first, and his team will prioritize his recovery.

The announcement of Van Aert's withdrawal was made on 18 Jun, and the cycling community is eagerly waiting to see how Jonas Vingegaard will perform without his key teammate.

Jonas Vingegaard's chances of winning the Tour de France have taken a hit, but he still has a strong team behind him.

The upcoming Tour de France will be an exciting event, with Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar expected to be top contenders.

Van Aert's injury is a reminder of the risks involved in professional cycling, and the importance of prioritizing athlete health.

The Team Visma | Lease a Bike roster for the Tour de France will be unveiled on 23 Jun, and fans are eagerly waiting to see who will replace Van Aert.

Jonas Vingegaard's performance in the Tour de France will be closely watched, and his ability to lead his team to victory without Van Aert's support will be put to the test.