“Van Aert is, above all, a guarantee for the team leader”: Astana sports director insists Visma are missing an irreplaceable asset at the Tour de France

The debate surrounding Wout van Aert's absence from the Tour de France has intensified as the race hits its second week. While some continue to argue that Jonas Vingegaard benefits from having a squad fully dedicated to the general classification, XDS Astana Team sports director Stefano Zanini sees things very differently.

According to the former professional, Van Aert's value extends far beyond his own results, making him an irreplaceable asset in a three-week Grand Tour.

"Not having someone like Van Aert in the team means a great deal," Zanini said. "A rider like him is an enormous resource in the biggest race of the year. When he's not there, you're missing a fundamental rider in so many delicate situations."

For Zanini, Van Aert's greatest contribution lies in the experience he provides to Vingegaard throughout the race. "Van Aert is, above all, a guarantee for the team leader. Thanks to all the experience he has built over the years, he knows how to read the race, transmit calmness and help Vingegaard in the most difficult moments, even simply with a few words or by being at his side."

"Having a rider like him would give Vingegaard complete peace of mind throughout the Tour. He knows he can rely on someone who perfectly understands these situations and can advise him when it matters most."

One of the most common arguments against bringing Van Aert to the Tour is that his own ambitions (for stage victories or even the green jersey) could distract the team from Vingegaard's overall challenge. Zanini completely rejects that idea.

"Come on, let's not joke about it," he said. "Van Aert knows perfectly well when he can go for his own chances and when he has to work for the leader. Those two things can coexist without creating conflict. Wout would go in the breakaway when it's not an important day for Vingegaard, and he'd be at his side when he's really needed."

Instead of creating division, Zanini believes personal victories within the team actually strengthen morale. "Seeing a teammate win helps build confidence throughout the whole group and eases the pressure of constantly chasing results. If my teammate Van Aert wins today, I'm happy. The team is happy, the staff are happy, and things start coming naturally. That's the beauty of cycling and it should be the foundation of every team."

Responding to suggestions from Danish media that Visma is more united without Van Aert, Zanini pointed to UAE Team Emirates-XRG. "Look at what happens with Isaac Del Toro and Pogacar," he explained. "Especially after Pogacar gave him the stage win in Barcelona, Del Toro works all day for him and would do anything for him."

"That's the difference. A leader has to value his teammates, help them grow and make them understand that their work matters. In the end, all of that comes back to benefit the leader."

The discussion also turned to Davide Piganzoli, who replaced Van Aert in Visma's Tour squad and has become one of Vingegaard's most trusted domestiques. For Zanini, even if he praised the young Italian's performances, Van Aert would still be the preferred option.

"That may well be true, but I still believe it's better to have Van Aert. Having said that, Davide Piganzoli deserves complete trust and a lot of recognition for what he's doing. It's great to see such a young Italian performing at this level. I just hope they let him recover properly after riding both the Giro and the Tour."

With Vingegaard now trailing Pogacar by more than two and a half minutes, Zanini believes Van Aert's versatility could have been invaluable in the race's remaining flat and hilly stages, where Visma may still attempt long-range attacks.

"Of course, in that kind of scenario Van Aert could become very useful," he concluded. "It's difficult to attack Pogacar and his team, but the Tour isn't over until Paris. So many situations can still arise over the next few weeks."

"Visma have a very experienced staff and they always have to keep trying. Even if it looks difficult, you have to keep attacking until the end. That's what gives even a second place much more value."