Remco Evenpole (Soudal-Quick Step) said Wout Van Aert's injury at the Vuelta a España is a “big loss” for Belgium ahead of the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich later this month.

Van Aert crashed heavily on the descent of stage 16 of the Spanish Grand Tour, forcing him to abandon the race. Visma-Lease a Bike later announced that the 29-year-old would not race again in 2024.

No team was announced, but Van Aert and Evenpoel were scheduled to compete in both the individual time trial and the road race in Switzerland wearing national team kit.

Speaking to Cycling News at the Tour of Britain, Evenpoel said: “It's a big loss for us, but that's how cycling is. We have to find a good rider to replace him, but I think the national team coach knows what to do.”

“It was predictable that he would end the season with an injury like that. Knee injuries are always pretty nasty, especially with an injury like the one he has now. So I think he's a professional and he's at an age where he can make his own decisions about what's best for him.

Evenepoel, who made the podium in his Tour de France debut this summer, will not struggle in the group as he usually does, but will battle with Tadej Pogachar and Mathieu Van der Pol in Zurich.

However, the Soudal-Quick Step talisman believes his national team has what it takes to bounce back from Van Aert's loss: “It's a pretty tough course, but we [Belgium] have some riders who have stepped up this year, so we can replace Wout. “It's a tough course, but we have some riders who have stepped up this year. Of course, it will be difficult to replace him, but we have no other options."

Despite all the attention given to his world championship ambitions, Evenpoel has been absent from the sharp end of the race during the Tour of Britain.

He admits that his success this summer has taken its toll, saying, “For me, it's just a rebuild after the Olympics and the Tour, so I'm just suffering.

“I've spent a month in 40-degree temperatures, so coming here in 10-degree temperatures and rain was not much fun.

The 24-year-old also stated that he will end his season at Il Lombardia on October 12, aiming to add one more monument before the end of the year.

“I will finish the season with the Italian Classic and the World Championships.