Wout van Aert had quickly forgotten the disappointment of his second place in the second stage of the Tour de France on Saturday. The 27-year-old Belgian was allowed to put on the yellow jersey for the first time in his career after the ride and with that a long-cherished wish came true.
Van Aert fulfilled a promise on a stage in Nyborg, Denmark. With a big smile and a careful bow, he threw the lion that the yellow jersey wearer gets every day into the audience, in the direction of his wife Sarah De Bie and his one-year-old son Georges.
“I have often said to Georges that I would give him a real lion,” said Van Aert a little later. “I also got a hug like this when I was leader in Paris-Nice and the Dauphiné this year, but this one is worth much more. I am very happy that I was able to give him this gift.”
The Jumbo-Visma rider gave himself one of the highlights of his career in Denmark. By finishing second in the bunch sprint, behind winner Fabio Jakobsen, he took six bonus seconds, just enough to knock his compatriot Yves Lampaert from first place in the general classification.
“I feel very comfortable in this jersey,” said Van Aert with a smile. “This is only my fourth Tour, but it still feels like I finally got the yellow. I’ve been looking for this for a long time and often dreamed of it. I was also disappointed a few times when it just didn’t work out, but today I can finally wear it. I worked hard for it and I am very proud. This one can be taken off my bucket list.”
Wout van Aert throws a lion at his son Georges.
Wout van Aert throws a lion at his son Georges. Photo: AP
Van Aert collects second places
Van Aert was already close to the yellow jersey on Friday, when he finished second in the time trial through Copenhagen on the opening day of the Tour. A day later he was second again, but this time just missing the win did not cause a hangover.
“Immediately after the finish I thought: second again”, says Van Aert. “I thought I would win when I overtook Mads Pedersen, but Jakobsen must have done a really good sprint. Of course I would have loved to win the stage, but I’m wearing a very nice jersey now. So you won’t hear me complaining today.”
The three-time cyclo-cross world champion could laugh on his yellow cloud at all the questions he received about his collection of narrowly missed victories. After Saturday, Van Aert is in seven second places this season and in nineteen second places since 2019, the year he signed with Jumbo-Visma.
“It sometimes seems that I accumulate second places easier than victories”, Van Aert joked. “But I know enough great champions in cycling who often finished second. I am getting used to it now and know that there is always a new chance. Last year I finished second in the bunch sprint in the tenth stage of the Tour. A day later I booked one of the best victories of my career in the stage over the Mont Ventoux.”
Van Aert will get another chance at a stage win in the third stage on Sunday. But he wants to keep the yellow jersey as long as possible. “Of course. When you own this iconic jersey, you have to do everything you can to defend it. So that’s the plan.”
You can find all the latest news and backgrounds in our Tour de France file