Greg Van Avermaet's Classics campaign and season is "more than likely" over according to his CCC Team after the Olympic champion crashed into an unprotected sign post during Liège-Bastogne-Liège and remained seated on the tarmac wincing in pain.
Despite initial hopes of limited injuries, the CCC Team later confirmed that Van Avermaet sustained a torn ligament and multiple minor fractures.
“X-rays performed at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Sart-Tilman in Liège revealed that Greg sustained an acromioclavicular (shoulder) joint separation as well as three fractured ribs, a small pneumothorax, and a small fracture of the first thoracic vertebra transverse process. Fortunately, he suffered no concussion," the CCC Team said.
With Gent-Wevelgem next Sunday and the Tour of Flanders a week later on October 18, Van Avermaet is not expected to be able to race again this season.
"These injuries more than likely mean the end of Greg’s season however, alongside CCC Team’s Chief Medical Officer, Max Testa, we will monitor his recovery and make any decisions accordingly in the coming days and weeks,” CCC Team said.
Van Avermaet crashed along with Bora-Hansgrohe's Jay McCarthy at a traffic island with a directional signpost that was left unguarded by pads or marshals with 97km left to race.
