This may sound way out of bounds, but I think there is a chance he will retire after this. The mental strain he has had to get to this point, and the mental strain of the expectations he has on him, and the mental strain of the doubters and people who dislike him has always affected him. In a time where your closest rival is a man who (as much as I hate to admit it), is physically more gifted in the races Wout cherishes most, I can see him coming to a place where he doesn't think it's worth it anymore. I believe for sure, that thought will cross his mind.
My hope is that this adversity forges a Wout who will come back and triumph. I would not respect him any less if it doesn't.