2023-07-20 10:09:44
“It’s a strange feeling, but it’s not a dilemma. Belgian Wout van Aert has decided to quit the Tour de France as his wife is about to give birth. The news was announced on the Twitter account of his team, the Jumbo-Visma, this Thursday morning.
In the interview, the runner indicates that he was ready to make this decision in the event of an emergency: “I always knew that I would come home when my wife needed it. This time has come. “However, the yellow jersey and leader of the Jumbo-Visma Jonas Vingegaard had ruled out the idea of a departure from the Belgian, a few days earlier: “I can tell you that he is not going anywhere, he had launched. He stays here with us. »
The announcement of his withdrawal was nevertheless well received by his teammates, according to the video posted on Thursday. “I am delighted that they all respected my decision, they are 100% behind me,” said the 28-year-old Belgian.
The winner of nine Tour de France stages, but none this year, had an important role in the Jumbo-Visma around overall leader Jonas Vingegaard. But the Dane has widened a considerable gap between him and his rival Tadej Pogacar, relegated to more than 7 minutes after the time trial on Tuesday then in the Col de la Loze on Wednesday. The outcome of the Tour is practically sealed. “The guys will be very good on the rest of the Tour, everything will be fine,” reassured van Aert.
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