De Backer, who recently became a father, wants to focus on other things. "From the very beginning, the Tour was a dream come true. I am incredibly grateful to Jan Tops and his team for the trust they have placed in me over the past few years."

"However, I am now ready for a new chapter in my life. I want to make the most of the time with my child. I am also working on a new, challenging project, but I can't say anything about that today. It's not the end, but the beginning of a new adventure!"