Van Aert leaves the Tour de France: his wife Sarah is about to give birth

MOUTIERS – Wout van Aert retires from Tour de France 2023. The Belgian of Jumbo-Visma will not start stage number 18 to stay close to the wife Sarah, who is about to give birth to the couple’s second child. With the Tour in the pocket for the teammate Jonas VingegaardWVA’s retirement comes with a lighter heart.

“As everyone knows, Sarah is pregnant and time is running out at home, with labor about to start,” van Aert explained in a video recorded on Wednesday morning. “In agreement with the team, we have decided that my place is now at home. On the one hand it is a strange feeling, but I had no doubts: it was an easy decision to make. I have always told myself that my place is at home when my wife needs me. That moment has come. All the members of the team understand this decision and support me 100%. My seven teammates will continue to do an excellent job, so I’m sure everything will be fine.”