Sixtieth place, 2’52” behind the winner Thibau Nys. Thus begins Wout’s Tour of Norway Van Aertbut what is certain is that the attention that the Belgian from Visma-Lease a Bike received from professionals and the public was much greater than that of the winner. It couldn’t have been otherwise after more than two months of absence from the races of one of the “magnificent six”, who emerged with broken bones (in the literal sense) from Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Beyond the victories that were not lacking in the Belgian home, his absence (combined with that of Evenepoel) is heavy and not a little and There has been great anticipation surrounding his return to racing, which is why an insignificant placement had such great prominence. He even admits it Guy Van den Langenbergh, prestigious signature of Het Nieuwsblad.
How much has Wout Van Aert’s absence been felt in these two months for Belgian cycling?
Very, in fact it was the only one he would be able to compete with Van der Poel to Flanders and Roubaix. Without him the mechanics of these races have become a little predictable. He was the best at that point in the season. I am convinced, and many are like me, that it really could have made a difference. With his absence, there was no one to oppose VdP. So yes, we missed him a lot.
What could Van Aert have done in this Giro, what spaces would he have had?
Hard to say. I haven’t seen all the stages, but obviously with his way of racing, Wout is always capable of winning. Sometimes we consider him a sprinter, but even if compared to specialists like Milan and Merlier he has something less, he has a top-quality train at his disposal and I think he would have had his opportunities. He would have been the protagonist. So I think maybe he could have won a stage or two. He is so strong, so versatile that he can win stages in any Grand Tour. If he’s on the starting line you can always expect him to be able to raise his arms, that’s for sure.
How much coverage did your terrible fall in March have in the Belgian media?
Much. In the middle of what we call Holy Week, there were all the big races coming up and the ground was being prepared for the Tour of Flanders. We know how important cycling is in Belgium: in Italy if you look at the Gazzetta dello Sport, cycling is at the bottom, in Belgium especially in those days it was the first sporting topic in the newspapers. The crash obviously became very big news here.
The fans in Belgium are now more attached to who they are more attached to, Van Aert or Evenepoel. Has a rivalry been created between the fans as happened here in the times of Moser and Saronni?
Well, you can’t compare it to that period because in that era everyone was doing the same races. Wout prefers the stone classics, Remco those of the Ardennes and even in the grand tours they start with different objectives and tasks. So they rarely meet during races. Everyone has their fans, that’s for sure, but there are many people who are fans of both riders precisely because you don’t have to choose.
Wout starts again this week from the Tour of Norway: at this point is the Olympic race his big goal?
It always has been. Even without the accident and the consequent change of plans. The Olympic time trial and road racing are two of his main goals as he is looking for new goals. That’s why he decided to change his schedule, do fewer races in the spring and before that dedicate himself less to cyclocross. He would only have done Flanders and Roubaix, then he would have gone into retreat at high altitude for the Giro, but always thinking of Paris. Dedicating a lot of space to focus on specific training for the Paris time trial and road race. Of course, things have changed now.
In what way?
Norway is the first step to prepare for Paris. It is not yet clear whether he will participate in the Tour. I am quite sure that he will be there, but the team’s communication is proceeding gradually. But yes, Paris remains his main objective. Now he’s hungry for victories and an Olympic gold medal is at the top of his wish list. He’s already been second in Tokyo, so if you’re second once, you want to be the winner the next time. The two races in Paris are obviously very important for him. In the time trial he will have to beat Ganna, it will be difficult but I am optimistic.
Is the Paris route suitable for its characteristics in your opinion?
I spoke to him, he says yes, it reminds him of a classic route. He knows it well, he’s already raced there a couple of times, it also looks very similar to the Glasgow track from last year. On that route, he who has won sprints but also hilly races, can invent something. If he is in excellent shape, he can play on any type of track. Tokyo was a very tough course and yet he was there and managed to finish second. If he’s well he’s among the favourites, that’s for sure.
Between the Olympics, World Championships and European Championships, Van Aert has 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. Isn’t there the risk that this is a psychological burden, that he runs the risk of yet another defeat?
He was also a three-time cyclocross world champion, so he knows what it means to win. It’s a problem that perhaps concerns us, the press or the fans more than him. There is no denying that he has been second too many times, not only in championships but also in the classics. But he is so mentally strong that he normally doesn’t care. I mean, if he comes 2nd and did his best, then he can survive. Could he have won if something had gone a little differently? Maybe, but I’ve never had the impression that it’s frustrating for him to come in second place, even though I know he will want to win even more. This is a fact. He wants to become Olympic champion or world champion or European champion. Wout thinks this year’s World Cup is too difficult for him. But he firmly believes that one day he will succeed, that he will become world champion or European champion. Every time he is on the starting line, he knows it could be his chance. He’s a real competition animal.
