MOUTIERS, France (AP) — Belgian allrounder Wout van Aert, a key teammate of Tour de France leader Jonas Vingegaard, has left the race to be with his wife Sarah ahead of the birth of their second child.

Van Aert, a versatile rider capable of winning on all grounds, has provided crucial support to Vingegaard since the start of the Tour. But because Vingegaard has opened a huge gap in the general classification with one tough mountain stage left, Van Aert's presence was not deemed as essential.

“As everyone knows, Sarah is pregnant, things are starting to get a bit tight at home,” Van Aert said in a video published by his Jumbo-Visma team ahead of Thursday's Stage 18. “In consultation with the team we have decided that my place is now at home.”

Van Aert added that leaving the race is “a strange feeling, but it's not a dilemma.”

Vingegaard, the defending champion, dropped Tadej Pogacar in the last big stage in the French Alps on Wednesday to increase his overall lead to 7 minutes, 35 seconds. Barring any big crash, he looks set to win his second Tour title on Sunday.

Van Aert has nine career stage wins on the Tour, but none this month.

“I often had the legs to win a stage, but it did not happen,” he said. “But I will always remember this Tour as the one where I called home every day.”

Share:
More In Sports
Green Bay Packers Selling 'Stock' for Sixth Time in Franchise History
The Green Bay Packers are selling shares of their stock for just the sixth time in its 102-year history. The Packers are the only major professional sports team in the U.S. that is publicly owned and not-for-profit. Now, it is offering 300,000 shares at $300 apiece; however, fans who become shareholders will not have much power, as the Packers' stock is not technically a stock. Washington Post sports reporter Des Bieler joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
All-Pro Football Player Launches Foundation for Rescue Dogs
All-Pro Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley joins Cheddar News to discuss launching The Ronnie Stanley Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for rescue dogs, provide training that cultivates therapeutic properties, and match each rescue with an individual who has faced a challenge in life such as a chronic illness or emotional trauma.
New York's Tax Rate Poses Potential Challenge to Mobile Sportsbooks
Earlier this week, New York's gaming commission approved nine mobile sports platforms to operate in the market, but each respective sportsbooks' revenue will be taxed at 51%, tied for the steepest rate in the country. Eben Novy-Williams, sports business reporter for Sportico, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell where he breaks down the challenge sportsbooks face to be profitable in the region.
Data Helping the Seattle Seahawks Win Off the Field
One NFL team says it is using data to help it win off the field. The Seattle Seahawks say they want to be a source of inspiration for other organizations that want to reap the rewards of a data-driven culture and aim to show the unlikely role data can play in professional sports operations. Seattle Seahawks Director of Business Strategy and Analytics Paimon Jaberi joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Another Week of College Football Playoff Shakeups
Mark Drumheller, Betting Analyst for the Sharp App, tells viewers who to back in a pair of key college football matchups and shares who to put your Heisman bets in for before it's too late. Sponsored by BetMGM
NFL Mid-Season Awards
Martin Weiss, Extra Points Podcast Network Host and Gambling Personality, provides his betting insight on what to expect for the remainder of the NFL season and doles out some NFL Mid-Season Awards. Sponsored by BetMGM
Betting a Big Week in the AFC
BetMGM host Olivia Harlan Dekker joins Cheddar Bets to break down a week with massive implications for the AFC Playoff picture. Plus: the debut of Olivia's Weekend Portfolio. Sponsored by BetMGM
Load More