What Happened to Wout Van Aert? Why is Wout van Aert Out of the Tour de France?
by Mathelene
Updated Jul 21, 2023
What Happened to Wout Van Aert?
Wout van Aert, the talented Belgian cyclist from Team Jumbo–Visma, left the 2023 Tour de France during its final week to be with his wife, Sarah, who was about to give birth to their second child. This decision came despite his ambition to win stages, especially after his remarkable performance in the previous year, where he claimed the green jersey by winning three stages and dominating the points classification.
Unfortunately, in the 2023 edition of the Tour, Van Aert had not managed to secure a stage win up to the point of his departure. He came close with two second-place finishes on Stage 2 and Stage 15, and also achieved podium positions on Stage 8 and Stage 16, finishing third on both occasions. Despite not achieving his desired stage wins, he expressed that his experience on the bike and the camaraderie with his teammates were positive and fulfilling.
Van Aert's departure from the Tour was prompted by the imminent arrival of his second child. In a video posted by his team Jumbo–Visma, he explained that his wife's pregnancy had reached a critical stage, and they had been consulting with a doctor who confirmed that labor was impending. Given the circumstances, Van Aert and the team decided that his place was now at home to support his wife during this significant time.
While his decision meant he would miss out on the Tour's famous final stage on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Van Aert had no regrets about prioritizing his family over the race. He emphasized that going home to be with his wife was not a dilemma but rather an easy decision, as they had planned for this possibility in advance.
Van Aert's departure came with Jumbo–Visma leading the team rankings, showing the team's strong performance throughout the race. As he left the Tour, he ranked fourth in the green jersey standings, with Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin-Deceuninck holding a considerable lead.
Why is Wout van Aert out of the Tour de France?
Wout van Aert is out of the Tour de France because he decided to leave the race during its final week. The reason for his departure was to be with his pregnant wife, Sarah, who was on the verge of giving birth to their second child. This decision was made by Van Aert and his team, Jumbo–Visma, in consultation with their doctor, who confirmed that labor was imminent.
Despite his aspirations to win stages in the 2023 Tour de France, Van Aert had not secured a stage victory up to the point of his departure. His best finishes were two second-place positions on Stage 2 and Stage 15, and he also reached the podium on two other occasions, finishing third on Stage 8 and Stage 16.
While he had hoped for more success on the racecourse, Van Aert expressed that he felt positive about his overall experience during the Tour. He emphasized that the support and camaraderie with his teammates were excellent, but his priority was to be by his wife's side during this important time.
Van Aert's decision to leave the Tour and return home was not taken lightly, but he had planned for the possibility of needing to be with his wife during the race. He acknowledged that the decision was straightforward, as his family's well-being was his top priority.
As he departed the Tour, Jumbo–Visma was leading the team rankings, showcasing their strong performance throughout the race. Van Aert himself ranked fourth in the green jersey standings, with Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin-Deceuninck holding a significant lead.
Does Wout Van Aert Speak Dutch?
Yes, Wout van Aert speaks Dutch. As a Belgian cyclist, Dutch is one of the official languages in Belgium, along with French and German. Being a native of Belgium, Wout is fluent in Dutch, which is commonly spoken in the northern region of the country known as Flanders.
As mentioned in the previous information, Wout van Aert left the 2023 Tour de France to be with his pregnant wife. The information was released in a video posted by his team, Jumbo–Visma, where he communicated in Dutch about the decision to prioritize his family and be present for the imminent birth of their second child.
Wout's ability to speak Dutch is not surprising given his Belgian heritage and upbringing in Flanders, where Dutch is the predominant language. Along with Dutch, he is also likely proficient in French and English, as these languages are commonly used in international cycling events and communication with teammates and competitors from various countries.
Stage 18 Tour De France 2023
In Stage 18 of the 2023 Tour de France, Kasper Asgreen claimed a remarkable victory by winning his first-ever Tour de France stage. The stage was a flat one, covering a distance of 184.9 kilometers (114.7 miles), starting in Moûtiers and finishing in Bourg-en-Bresse.
Asgreen, who rides for the Soudal Quick-Step team, was part of a breakaway group consisting of four riders. Despite the sprinters' teams' efforts to catch them, Asgreen and his companions managed to hold on and stay clear of the peloton during the closing stages in Bourg-en-Bresse.
The Danish cyclist showcased his sprinting abilities and outpaced his breakaway companions, Pascal Eenkhorn and Jonas Abrahamsen, to clinch the stage win. This victory marked a significant achievement for Asgreen in one of the most prestigious cycling races in the world.
Meanwhile, Jonas Vingegaard, also from Denmark, continued to maintain a comfortable overall lead in the general classification. With just three stages remaining, he held a significant advantage over his competitors, including two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar, who trailed him by seven minutes and 35 seconds. British cyclist Adam Yates occupied the third position in the overall standings.
The stage was initially anticipated to be an opportunity for the sprinters to shine, as it followed five consecutive mountain stages, including a grueling Queen stage to Courchevel. However, the breakaway's resilience and a misjudgment from the peloton led to the breakaway group's victory, with the peloton coming in a little too late to catch up.
As the race unfolded, only three cyclists initially broke away, with Asgreen, Victor Campenaerts, and Jonas Abrahamsen forming the initial breakaway group. Later on, Pascal Eenkhoorn joined them to create the final four in the breakaway. Despite the peloton's efforts to close the gap, they were unable to catch the leaders in time for the finish.
Looking ahead to Stage 19, the peloton is expected to travel across the Jura Mountains, covering a 172.8-kilometer (107.4-mile) route from Moirans-en-Montagne to Poligny. This stage presents an opportunity for the sprint teams to compete and potentially redeem themselves after the exciting breakaway victory in Stage 18.
What Happened to Wout Van Aert? - FAQs
Wout van Aert left the Tour de France 2023 to be with his pregnant wife, who was about to give birth to their second child.
No, Wout van Aert did not win any stages in the 2023 Tour de France. His best finishes were two second-place positions on Stage 2 and Stage 15.
Kasper Asgreen won Stage 18 of the Tour de France 2023.
Stage 18 of the Tour de France 2023 was 184.9 kilometers (114.7 miles) long.
Jonas Vingegaard is leading the overall classification in the 2023 Tour de France.