Wout van Aert\u2019s new year began in a less than optimal way. A tough crash during the snowy Zilvermeercross in Mol forced the Belgian to abandon the race. He and world champion Mathieu van der Poel were having an amazing duel\u2013the first in some time, when he hit the deck on a slipper corner.<\/p>\n
After a trip to the hospital, tests revealed an ankle fracture.<\/a> That brought his short \u2018cross season to an abrupt end. The immediate concern, however, goes beyond winter racing: what does this mean for Van Aert\u2019s spring Classics campaign?<\/p>\n The rehab process<\/p>\n According to sports physician Tom Teulingkx, who has worked with Van Aert in the past, the outlook may not be as worrying as it first appears. Speaking to Sporza<\/a>, Teulingkx explained that ankle fractures are more commonly seen in sports like football or volleyball, but they can happen to cyclists as well.<\/p>\n \u201cIn these kinds of crashes, you often see a severe ankle distortion,\u201d Teulingkx said. \u201cThat type of injury is actually one of the most common in sport.\u201d<\/p>\n The ankle is supported by a complex network of ligaments, he explained and when those are overstretched or torn, swelling usually follows. In a smaller number of cases, that trauma also results in a fracture. Teulingkx noted that if the damage is limited \u2014 for example, a small piece of bone breaking away \u2014 surgical fixation with a plate or screw can speed up recovery, similar to how collarbone fractures are often treated.<\/p>\n Surgery expected shortly<\/p>\n The exact severity of Van Aert\u2019s injury should become clearer after surgery in Herentals, scheduled for Saturday. Until then, timelines remain uncertain. Still, Teulingkx suggested that a typical recovery from a twisted ankle often takes around three to four weeks.<\/p>\n