'Don't kill cycling' - Jumbo-Visma defend Wout van Aert chain lube in E3 finale

Belgian Wout van Aert of Team JumboVisma pictured in action during the E3 Saxo Bank Classic one day cycling race 2041km from and to Harelbeke Friday 24 March 2023 BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS Photo by JASPER JACOBS BELGA MAG Belga via AFP Photo by JASPER JACOBSBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images
Wout van Aert received mechanical assistance in the form of chain lube within the final 25km of the E3 Saxo Classic (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jumbo-Visma have defended the mechanical assistance given to Wout van Aert in the finale of E3 Saxo Classic, arguing that it's a common occurrence even if it's technically against the rules. 

Van Aert was seen drawing up alongside his team car with 22km to go, just ahead of the final climb of the Tiegemberg, with a mechanic soon hanging out of the window to apply lubricant to his chain. 

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.