'Suddenly there were shards of glass on the road' – More bad luck hits Wout van Aert in first race back and rules him out of challenging for victory at Ename Samyn Classic

Wout van Aert's return to racing at the Ename Samyn Classic was marred by misfortune, as the Visma-Lease a Bike rider encountered shards of glass on the road, leading to a puncture. This incident, occurring in his first competitive outing since a significant crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen, effectively ended his hopes for victory in the Belgian semi-classic, forcing him to chase back and ultimately finish outside contention.

This latest setback adds another chapter to Van Aert's recent string of bad luck, following his high-profile early season injuries that derailed his spring classics campaign and Giro d'Italia ambitions. His presence at Ename Samyn was intended as a low-pressure reintroduction to the peloton, yet it highlighted the unpredictable nature of road racing and the fragility of even the most meticulously planned comebacks. For Visma-Lease a Bike, it's another reminder of the challenges in getting their star rider back to full competitive rhythm.

One might almost suspect the cycling gods have a peculiar sense of humour regarding Van Aert's return. At this point, a clean run seems less a given and more a minor miracle.