"That's not true. Or I hope not" - Visma DS turns down speculations that Wout Van Aert could leave Tour early to prepare for Olympics

Wout Van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Jasper Stuyven and Tiesj Benoot are the chosen four to represent Belgium at Paris Olympics. All four are currently in action at the Tour de France and so it makes sense there are concerns about whether the workload from three weeks of racing in France won't impact their level in France just a week after the Grande Boucle concludes. Some suggest an early leave could be an option, especially for the struggling Van Aert.

Evenepoel will of course not step down voluntarily, but there is an escape clause for Van Aert and Stuyven according to Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout who told this to Sporza. "Agreements have been made with certain riders about whether it is really necessary to ride out. Whether Van Aert can choose from his team whether he will leave the Tour? Yes. And Jasper Stuyven too."

Sporza presented that statement to Frans Maassen, sports director at Visma | Lease a Bike. The Dutchman contradicts the Belgian national coach. "That's not true. Or I hope not. No, it's not true."

Van Aert should therefore finish the Tour according to his team. "Wout wants to do his tasks here. And I think he will also come out of the Tour better by finishing the Tour. That can be done occasionally with the brakes on, as he has already done."

Anyhow, he doesn't have to ride empty himself at the front every day for Jonas Vingegaard. "Wout doesn't have to go all out every day. There are certainly opportunities where he can ride for himself. Wout has to go to Nice and he wants to go too. It's not an issue."