For Van Aert, his Tour debut means the next step in his career. After strong spring classics with podium places in Strade Bianche and E3 BinckBank Classic, the 24-year-old rider from Herentals is now starting in Critérium du Dauphiné. “Wout is ready for this next step”, sportive director Merijn Zeeman explains.

“He makes our team even stronger. He hasn’t had a lot of race days and Wout has prepared himself in an ideal way. After the Tour, he will ride the Prudential Ride London and after that, his cyclocross season starts.”