He'd be a semi favourite imo at anything that ends in a brutally steep ramp (Fleche etc) just cos you've guys like Roglic, Pogacar, Alaphillippe, VDP who have a stronger kick there. And when he has Roglic in his team, you're not going with WVA there anyway bar as a longer range tactic.
In the time trial Van Aert might be the main favourite but for the road race I think it could be too hard.
However if he gets to the World Championships in this sort of shape maybe he gets two golds, after all he was already close last season...
- Oct 2, 2020
- 1,607
- 2,462
- 5,680
So, just two years ago Wout was in a hospital bed, not sure if his career would be curtailed. But his performance in this TDF (2021) was even better than last year's. And this, after missing a big chunk of spring season prep because of the appendix surgery. WvA is a tough customer.
- Aug 3, 2015
- 18,868
- 3,218
- 28,180
Yup, obvious he was well below his best until the first rest day. He was definitely undercooked going in which makes it even better if youre looking at the Olympics next weekend...
- Aug 13, 2011
- 4,245
- 4,139
- 21,180
Congratulations Van Aert!!! Huge stage wins and two on big finishes. It would be good to see him compete for stages and green.
- Jan 27, 2012
- 13,217
- 45
- 22,530
Chapeau Aert, made my day, but also lifted the standard of the Tour this year.
- Jan 4, 2020
- 6,327
- 7,726
- 16,180
- Jul 16, 2015
- 1,799
- 3,937
- 16,180
Mike Teunissen deserves some praise here, i.e. WVA's lead out guy did such a fantastic job here. The timing & positioning from both was impeccable, meanwhile DQS disintegrated entirely (& what was Cavendish doing so far back until the final lap? That made no sense).
In any case, what a weekend for JV & their Tour was totally saved, tbh (it was "fine" all things considered before this weekend, but those two wins really made it way better than anyone hoped after week 1's disasters).
In any case, what a weekend for JV & their Tour was totally saved, tbh (it was "fine" all things considered before this weekend, but those two wins really made it way better than anyone hoped after week 1's disasters).
- Aug 13, 2011
- 4,245
- 4,139
- 21,180
I think their Tour was saved before today with 2nd, 2 wins, and one being ventoux. This was just the massive cherry on top in my opinion.
I'll say it again, he's the best cyclist I have ever seen, and probably the best since the days of Hinault, Fignon, and LeMond.
- Nov 16, 2013
- 17,336
- 11,874
- 28,180
- Aug 18, 2010
- 11,293
- 3,280
- 28,180
In theory I agree… but… well, you know. Normal limits just don’t seem to apply. This guy is the freakiest of the current generation of freaks.
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- Aug 18, 2010
- 11,293
- 3,280
- 28,180
What a trio of stages to win. Arguably the most impressive Tour de France of modern times for a non GC rider.
- May 3, 2015
- 2,926
- 1,672
- 14,680
Think his climbing was actually a bit worse (strange thing to say after winning the Ventoux stage) but this freed him up for other things a bit.
- Jun 6, 2017
- 5,018
- 1,742
- 15,680
Hats off to Hinault, but I'm pretty sure there were couple of fellas better then those two...
- May 4, 2011
- 4,090
- 569
- 17,080
individual stage wins
2019 1
2020 2
2021 3
Definitely more pressure on Jumbo to have both LaPorte and Teunissen in the Tour squad next year. If the main title sponsor is serious about increasing their Belgian market share, that is. Roglic has many fans, but Van Aert is the most popular if their social media presence is anything to go by. More Van Aert wins = more money.
Add in Affini too and you have a sprint train. WVA could have won stage 10 to Valence with a better lead-out. Didn't even contest most bunch sprints.
Sure, the 2 fastest sprinters weren't there, but they can't win every single flat stage.
The team will probably go all-in for GC, though, if no one stops them. Thinking they can stop Pogacar with Roglic & Vingegaard.
2019 1
2020 2
2021 3
Definitely more pressure on Jumbo to have both LaPorte and Teunissen in the Tour squad next year. If the main title sponsor is serious about increasing their Belgian market share, that is. Roglic has many fans, but Van Aert is the most popular if their social media presence is anything to go by. More Van Aert wins = more money.
Add in Affini too and you have a sprint train. WVA could have won stage 10 to Valence with a better lead-out. Didn't even contest most bunch sprints.
Sure, the 2 fastest sprinters weren't there, but they can't win every single flat stage.
The team will probably go all-in for GC, though, if no one stops them. Thinking they can stop Pogacar with Roglic & Vingegaard.
- Sep 4, 2017
- 1,765
- 1,533
- 8,680
Sensational performance to win arguably the 3 most iconic stages of the entire race in double Ventoux, late TT and Champs Elysee sprint.
Looked strong in week 1 but a few percent off his top level with his quest for yellow coming up slightly short but to have such ascending form on the final weekend is a great sign for a shot at double gold in Tokyo.
Looked strong in week 1 but a few percent off his top level with his quest for yellow coming up slightly short but to have such ascending form on the final weekend is a great sign for a shot at double gold in Tokyo.
- May 14, 2011
- 3,305
- 1,791
- 16,680
This guy is the greatest all round cyclist of the modern era - since Merckx. Incredible what he is capable of doing. Climb, TT and sprint. Incredible.
- Jan 7, 2017
- 929
- 1,055
- 8,180
Believe it or not, there are disciplines he doesn't do....which is why I added the 'Road' to your statement.
- Jun 12, 2016
- 1,567
- 1,130
- 8,680
- May 6, 2021
- 1,682
- 2,949
- 8,180
- Aug 3, 2015
- 18,868
- 3,218
- 28,180
Yeah even with 2 GC-contenders next year, Wout absolutely needs to get a decent amount on freedom. If they make him a slave (like Danish commentators apparantly wants to do since Vingegaard rode well), then he should just get the *** out and find a team which is devoted to him (ala Sagan at Bora) and try to contest half of the stages and green. Thats what I would do honestly, and Im pretty sure such a team will be out there.
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