"It is not yet clear which Grand Tour Van Aert will ride" - Wout van Aert's Giro d'Italia presence not yet discussed, Jumbo-Visma say

Wout van Aert's Giro d'Italia debut has been cooking up for a while. Recently, those rumours have become stronger and this morning Gazzetta dello Sport reported that this debut is imminent for 2024 - where he may also try to ride for the overall classification. Jumbo-Visma responded and it's unclear if that's the case.

“We have not yet reached that stage in the process of making plans for 2024. Our staff will meet in November to evaluate this season and make careful plans for 2024," team manager Richard Plugge told Wielerflits this Tuesday. "This is how we approach it every year. These ideas will be discussed one-on-one with the riders in December during the first training camp. Only then are the programs put together. So it is not yet clear which Grand Tour Van Aert will ride."

The idea has been bouncing around for the past few months, specially taking into consideration the Olympic Games takes place two weeks after the Tour de France. Some would like to use the Grand Boucle as preparation for it - as is classic for the Clásica San Sebastián - however others will opt to focus on the Giro and then do specific preparation away from the Tour.

Van Aert may opt to do that. After several Tours and countless success, he may get the freedom to chase other goals as Jumbo-Visma have achieved their goals at the Grand Boucle - and have a team strong enough to cover for his absence well. Jumbo-Visma talk about how they have not yet made a decision, but over the upcoming month that could well happen.