I know this isn't the Wout van Aert thread, though Wout conversation is inevitable here. So, what is the reason for Wout's "down" Tour in 2023? He didn't win a stage, and I can't remember as many big moments in a supporting role as in previous tours. Was it just about the new kid on the way? Or just a down season overall?
I have a hard time with the latter explanation given his podiums at MSR, Roubaix, and win at E3. Gifted Gent-Wevelgem to a teammate. Even in San Remo you could argue (though I wouldn't) that if he let MVDP close the gap late on the Poggio, he could have won. At Worlds he was clearly second best to Mathieu, but at any other point in the season? Not so sure.
With a bit of luck in Roubaix, 2023 could have been Wout's best spring ever. (His previous best "spring classics" campaign was arguably in late summer/fall 2020).