Wout van Aert leaves Tour de France

Wout van Aert of Team Jumbo-Visma has withdrawn from the Tour de France. His team issued an official statement on Thursday that confirmed van Aert left the race in order to support his wife Sarah De Bie, who is about to give birth to their second child very soon. With Stage 18 of the Tour scheduled for Thursday, there are three more stages remaining before its conclusion in Paris on Sunday.

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“As everyone knows, Sarah is pregnant,” Van Aert said in a video. “Things are starting to get a bit tight at home. In consultation with the team, we have decided that my place is now at home. We have been seeing the doctor at home for the last few weeks. He has assessed that labour is imminent. That’s why we have made this decision.”

Van Aert, 28 began the Tour looking for a stage win, and although coming close a few times, will leave without a victory. His teammate Jonas Vingegaard, however, seems poised to take the yellow jersey into Paris. The Belgian has been a strong ally to the Dane, putting in massive pulls up and down the climbs.

The news that he is withdrawing to support his wife is not entirely surprising, as he did say he may do so before the Tour de France began.

?? #TDF2023 @WoutvanAert has left the Tour de France to be with his wife Sarah who will give birth to their second child soon. More in the interview recorded yesterday morning. ? pic.twitter.com/WWA7uoCVz4

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) July 20, 2023