Tour de France 2023: Wout van Aert speaks on rumours of Jumbo-Visma tensions - 'We laugh about it'

Wout van Aert says he and his Jumbo-Visma team-mates just «laugh» in the face of reports in the Belgian media of discontent within the team. Van Aert reacted to being beaten on Stage 2 by launching a water bottle to the ground, a moment that added fuel to the fire of those suggesting that chasing GC glory whilst also seeking out stage wins through Van Aert is causing friction within the team.

Ad Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard was conspicuous by his absence in Van Aert's lead-out train in San Sebastian, as the Belgian saw Victor Lafay take the glory. Tour de FranceWatch Van Aert throw his bottle down in frustration at end of Stage 22 HOURS AGO It has, therefore, been a winless start to the Tour so far for a team many consider the strongest in the field.

«We laugh about it,» Van Aert told Eurosport at the start of Stage 3 when asked about reports of tension in the Jumbo-Visma camp. «What happens in the bus is the most important [thing].

We didn't win yet but we showed the last weekend that we are one of the strongest teams in the bunch, and that's what you take away.» Stage 3 LIVE – Cavendish chases historic 35th win Pogacar says wrist 'sore' but hails 'perfect situation' Seemingly backing up Van Aert's theory was former world champion Philippe Gilbert, who — like his fellow Belgian — knows a thing or two about how their press cover the sport. «I think it's always some exaggeration from the media, especially from Belgium, they like that — to make it even more important than what it is,» Gilbert said.

«I trust them [Jumbo-Visma], especially Van Aert, he has a lot of experience, he's big enough to make the difference and not start a fight inside the team. »I think yesterday Vingegaard lost the chance to show the team