The leader of the general classification went to the mat in the fifth stage when leaving a roundabout, before, a few moments later, avoiding an accident with a DSM team vehicle.
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Masterful winner of the fourth stage in Calais on Wednesday, Wout Van Aert was on the verge of experiencing immense disappointment this Wednesday on the roads of northern France. As the race approached the first passage over the cobblestones, the Jumbo Visma rider was caught coming out of a roundabout. Wedged in the middle of the peloton, the Belgian fell heavily, fortunately at medium speed. The yellow jersey was able to get back on his bike very quickly to try to get back to the leading men, without giving the impression of being injured.
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Relegated to about fifty seconds, Van Aert benefited from the help of his Dutch teammate Steven Kruijswijk, who fell with him. The duo left with a lot of serenity but trying to take shelter behind the cars of the official motorcade and in particular their team, which is strictly forbidden, even in the event of a fall.
A risk-taking that almost played a very bad trick on the Belgian, who, talking with Kruijswijk, did not see a vehicle suddenly brake in front of him. Van Aert, the wheel glued to the bumper, had the reflex to move in extremis to avoid hitting the back of the sedan belonging to the DSM team. A second big heat stroke. There will certainly be others with the dreaded crossing of the eleven cobblestone sectors on the menu.
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