Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert has ended his season prematurely following a serious knee injury sustained during stage 16 of the Vuelta a España. The 29-year-old, who was leading both the points and King of the Mountains rankings at the time of his crash, will miss the upcoming World Championships in Zurich due to his injuries. Although he has not suffered any fractures, van Aert requires intensive care for a deep knee wound and is currently hospitalized in Belgium receiving intravenous antibiotics to prevent infection. His team, Visma-Lease a Bike, confirmed that he will take a break to recover fully before planning for the next season. Van Aert's 2024 season has been challenging, marked by previous injuries, including a collarbone fracture earlier in the year that sidelined him from other major competitions. The cycling community now awaits further updates on his recovery process and future racing prospects.