Richard Plugge, manager of the team, was asked about this and immediately shut down the rumour: "I think very highly of Johan, but this is not true," Plugge said as reported by
In de Leiderstrui. "The health of a rider is the only parameter we take into account when allowing a rider to start. If a rider is too ill or has a fever, he does not start".
Van Aert did fall ill before the Giro but has recovered enough to be able to train a bit before the race and be able to carry enough form to survive the pace of the peloton on the final climb of the opening stage - whilst serious GC contenders such as Derek Gee and Thymen Arensman did not manage to do so whilst Simon Yates' GC aspirations have benefited from the first day.