Wout van Aert has addressed comments made in an interview with Jonas Vingegaard’s wife, Trine Marie Hansen, saying the team was “surprised” by some of the remarks that emerged.
In the interview, Hansen was reported to have spoken candidly about internal team dynamics, hinting at occasional tensions around leadership roles and the balance between stage wins and supporting the GC ambitions of Vingegaard.
Asked about it ahead of the Tour de France, Van Aert didn’t dismiss the comments but admitted they caught the squad off guard. “We were surprised to read that,” he said. “Of course there are moments in a Grand Tour when things get heated or decisions are difficult. But that’s normal. It’s a big team with big goals.”
Van Aert emphasized that he and Vingegaard still have a strong relationship built on mutual respect. “We’ve talked about it internally. Jonas and I know what we want to do at the Tour. We know what we’re working for,” he added.
Team management has also sought to downplay any suggestion of lasting rifts, insisting that everyone is focused on delivering another Tour victory despite the high-pressure environment and inevitable media scrutiny.
Leave a Reply