Wout van Aert missing the Tour de France isn’t just a team change—it’s a disruption to the entire script of the race.
In this episode, we react to the news that injury has ruled Van Aert out of the Tour and unpack what that actually removes from Visma–Lease a Bike’s toolkit. This isn’t just a domestique or stage hunter being taken away—it’s one of the most adaptable riders in modern cycling, a rider who can shift a stage, control a breakaway, win on multiple terrains, and reshape entire days of racing.
We dig into how Visma now reshuffle around Jonas Vingegaard, what gaps suddenly open in their Tour strategy, and who within the squad is forced to step into roles they weren’t originally built for. Beyond that, we explore how this changes the rhythm of the race itself—because Van Aert’s presence always forces other teams to react, even before the first mountain stage arrives.
There’s also the bigger picture: what this means for Van Aert’s season, how teams absorb late injury losses at this level, and whether the Tour de France becomes more open—or simply more chaotic—without him.
A raw reaction to one of the most influential withdrawals before the race has even begun.
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19 Comments
He'll be a fire to contend with at Paris-Roubaix 2027.. 🔥
No big loss, he hasn't been riding that great anyway
Patrick – the UAE squad at the Dahphine is NOT the team going to TDF – so do not compare the TTT performance. Scott.. VinneGlue will NOT win the Giro Tour double. Something catastrophoc will jave to happen to Pogi.. your comments – Both ifnyou – sometimes really stupid and clickbait..
Since 2022 Van aerts role in getting Jonas to win or helping Jonas has been largely exaggerated. His main thing is he was able to take stage wins for the team. There were 1 gravelstage where he was instrumental. He did pull hard enough to drop pogi in 22 which was good but Jonas probably could have done it himself. He is more of a star in himself. Last year he took the victory in Paris last stage but he really was a null factor for the gc. Hes is a great rider, but whether hes usefull for the helping the GC is kinda up to chance, it requires insane timing to have him at the right place at the right time which almost never happens. The biggest factor for wout was in the giro for Simon Yates that was insane. He practicly closed the giro for Simon there. They have never managed to set that up where Jonas drops pogi and then cathes Wout on flat that can pull him. That would where he could really make a difference. But almost impossible to do vs pogacar and UAE.
the only way Jonas will win is a injury or illness to Tadej Pogacar, in which case he won't need WvA anyways. He is going to be 2nd anyways, because Del Toro's domestique duties will have him battling Lipowitz & Seixas for final spot on podium, which I think ultimately the Mexican Master gets. If Tadej has a long tour, he may skip the Vuelta, which would make IDT the overwhelming favorite, that's how I see the rest of the Grand Tour season.
Pogačar being stronger because coming to full growth, Vintagegegaard would still be second.
Pingazoli to the tdf let gooooooo
There may be a silver lining here. He has unfinished business with the green jersey at La Vuelta after that crash. Missing the tour means he could go and tidy that up with fresh legs.
Apart from winning the odd stage WVA hasn't impacted the TDF for several years – this has to be Visma's weakest TDF team in some time – Jonas aside there isn't a single Visma rider capable of putting ANY pressure on Tadej – Jonas is going to find himself totally isolated and one-on-one with Tadej much earlier than in recent years – and what does Jonas do if Isaac goes up the road – does he chase or stay with Tadej?
Versatile is spot on and that maybe a big difference
OK, so sometimes I wonder if I'm watching the same races as others. But there are a few factoids that were overlooked regarding Wout's presence in races with Tadej present. Wout is one of 2 cyclists who has beaten Tadej recently: last year's Tour 21st stage and Paris-Roubaix. Wout won the Mont Ventoux stage the year he won the green jersey, NOT a classic style stage. He pulled his team leaders up some of the steepest and nastiest mountains in Europe. He has ridden for the team and for himself, the team coming first nearly always. His is a HUGE loss to the Visma team at the Tour this year.
i think Jorgen Nordhagen shows great promise as a climber. I'd trust him to a role at the Tour
🔥Any comments attempting to devalue Wout van Aert’s contributions to jumbo-visma are short sighted and reflect a shallow knowledge of professional cycling… nuff said‼️😉⚡️
Oh man!He's one of my favorites😢
Question? Was Wout at the Giro assisting in the win by Jonas? VISMA is going to do just fine without Wout…
Why is Wout still on your list when this entire podcast is about his absence? Tullet has not been confirmed by Visma, Hagenes has… the last slot is to be filled by either Tullet, Kelderman or Lemmen… Hate to say, but you are poorly informed…
Visma you can debate, but Wout being out is not a blow to Jonas. It is an advantage. In the years where Wout has been on form, he has been a distraction.
He is a very strong rider, but he is also too strong to go there just to be a domestique.
I am pretty sure UAE will also not bring a sprinter to chase stage victories and the green jersey.
Wout not having the climbing legs from '21 & '22 doesn't mean his role isn't crucial .
He can get well and focus on worlds