Mattias Skjelmose publicly apologizes to Wout van Aert for spreading false rumours

Danish rider Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) has apologized for spreading the rumour ahead of stage 10 that Wout van Aert would be withdrawing from the Tour de France.

“It was stupid of me and I apologize for that,” he said in an interview with Sporza. “We discussed Van Aert leaving during the team meeting before Stage 10 on the bus. Then I said in an interview with Danish television, TV2, that Jumbo-Visma was going to work hard during the stage for Van Aert as he was most likely heading home.”

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Although van Aert did say pre-Tour that he would consider leaving the race to see the birth of his second child, there was no veracity to him departing for any other reason.

“Wout sent me a message and I replied to him,” Skjelmose said. “I hope I can apologize to him personally during a stage and then after that, the whole issue will be laid to rest.

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Both Jonas Vingegaard and van Aert himself confirmed that the rumour was completely unfounded. After stage 10, the yellow jersey laughed off the notion that his team captain would be quitting the race. “He’s not going anywhere,” the Dane said.

Skjelmose, the newly crowned Danish national road champion, regretted speculating on the matter. “It was stupid of me,” the 22-year-old said. “I understand that Wout and his team are angry with me.”

The Belgian was clear about his intentions in the race, “I’m in the Tour de France, and hopefully for as long as possible.”