Van Aert uncertain for worlds after Vuelta crash

Wout van Aert hasn't suffered any fractures in a heavy crash at the Vuelta a Espana but it remains unclear whether he will be fit to compete at the upcoming world championships.

"Wout van Aert has not suffered any fractures from his crash in La Vuelta," his Visma-Lease A Bike team said early Wednesday on Instagram.

"The three-time stage winner had to withdraw due to severe knee pain caused by a deep wound. That wound requires intensive care. Wout will travel back to Belgium to continue his recovery."

Van Aert, 29, crashed in a descent on a wet road during Tuesday's 16 stage of the Vuelta.

The world championships in Zurich start in just over a fortnight on September 22, and missing it would be another setback this year for van Aert.

He was not able to contest the Giro d'Italia, among other events, after breaking his collarbone, sternum and ribs in a high-speed crash at the Across Flanders semi classic in late March.

Van Aert won time trial bronze at the recent Paris Olympics. He is also a nine-time Tour de France stage winner, has won Milan-Sanremo, Gent-Wevelgem and the Amstel Gold race, and is a triple cyclocross world champion.

Van Aert won three of the first 10 stages at the Spanish Vuelta.

Australian Ben O'Connor holds a five-second lead over three-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic ahead of Wednesday's Stage 17, a 141.5-kilometre ride from Arnuero with a relatively flat finish into Santander.