Wout van Aert exits Tour de France to be with wife, who is due to give birth

Wout van Aert is dropping out of the Tour de France to be with his wife, Sarah, who is due to give birth to their second child. His team Jumbo-Visma confirmed the news on Thursday morning, just hours before the start of the 18th stage.

Van Aert explains more in a video recorded on Wednesday. "It's starting to get a bit busy at home and in agreement with the team we decided that my place is there now," he said. "I always saw myself going home when my wife indicated that she needed me. That time has come."

Van Aert didn't win a stage this year, unlike his three victories in 2022. However, he did finish in the top three four times. He was 23rd in the general classification, the first Belgian in the ranking, over an hour and a half behind teammate and Tour leader Jonas Vingegaard.

"I always saw myself going home when my wife indicated that she needed me. That time has come"

While the race ends on Sunday, Vingegaard's victory is already assured. The Dane destroyed rival Tadej Pogacar's hope of winning on the Col de la Loze and now leads the general classification with an incredible 7'35" advantage over the Slovenian.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO PETE GODING}