Jay Vine on pink cloud to Vuelta: Aussie became father of first child just before Gran Salida

One participant of the Vuelta a Espana was absent from Thursday night's team presentation: Jay Vine of UAE-Team Emirates. The Australian had a more than valid reason for this: He became a father of his first child on Wednesday: a son. The rider won't have much time to enjoy his son, as he is "just" traveling to Lisbon for three weeks of the Vuelta.

"And then there were three of us," the Vine family wrote on social media. "Introducing Harrison Charles Vine, born on the 14th Aug 2024, 11:20 p.m. Mum and baby are healthy; this little boy instantly stole our hearts. We enjoyed a day together as a new family but also had to plan it extremely precisely."

"After all, I leave early in the morning for the Vuelta, but I am extremely grateful for the fact that we were together on this extraordinary day. He has managed to change our entire world already," wrote Vine. 

The Aussie has already had a tumultuous year, as he was also in the heavy fall at the Tour of the Basque Country, where he broke cervical vertebrae. He recently scored an immediate victory on his comeback at the Tour of Burgos, and now the Vuelta follows. "My wife has been so supportive and patient the whole time, and the team has been in constant contact to get me ready and healthy again," he recently revealed.

"Just four months ago, I was in Intensive Care not so far from here. In a few days, my wife will give birth to our first baby, so it's just an extraordinary time in my life right now," he looked forward and backward after his time trial victory in Burgos.

Photo: Vine becomes father just before Vuelta

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