Wout van Aert told media Nieuwsblad that he could abandon the Tour de France and abandon his teammates if he learned that his wife was giving birth during the event. “I don’t intend to miss this,” he said of the delivery of his partner. For the Jumbo-Visma, it would be a huge blow. Already deprived of Steven Kruijswijk for the start of the Tour, the Dutch team could suffer the abandonment of another lieutenant.
Jonas Vingegaard, winner of the 2022 edition, could find himself with a reduced close guard at the start of the Grande Boucle. It is in particular thanks to the latter that he had managed to blow up the hinges of Tadej Pogacar.
Wout van Aert, triple stage winner last year but also green jersey and elected super combative of the Tour, will aim for a 10th stage victory in the event. It remains to be seen whether he will have time to cross this symbolic bar before, perhaps, having to give up.
