Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[noob]

Well, because I prefer a variety of different riders in every race. There are already enough races that are being skipped by GC riders (although the situation is faaar better than years ago), I don't want Strade added to that list as well.

I personally prefer when different riders does different things so that I can enjoy more riders winning than two a season.

 

[proffate]

I think it's pretty fun to watch races where GC riders contend against classics specialists so race organizers should strive to make that a reality. MSR is a race that can be won by the likes of Nibali or Cavendish which is rare and special.

That said, SB is always entertaining (and gorgeous) no matter when it's held or who races it. Selfishly I guess I'd vote to move it to the middle of the rainy season, whenever that is, because riders are more human and relatable when they take off their face shields.

 

[Jspear]

And this reflects that Strade is not yet high prestige. To reach the next level, it needs a different calendar slot.

It doesn’t matter where in the year you put it. It will always take a back seat to the monuments and GT’s.

 

[KZD]

Sad that Van Aert won't go to the World Championships, I hoped that the improvement in Jumbo visma squad would have been enough to convince him but the fact they are in the other side of the Atlantic and that he didn't win any monument last year proved to be decisive

 

[noob]

Sad that Van Aert won't go to the World Championships, I hoped that the improvement in Jumbo visma squad would have been enough to convince him but the fact they are in the other side of the Atlantic and that he didn't win any monument last year proved to be decisive

I enjoy him so much more in CX than in road racing!

 

[tobydawq]

I enjoy him so much more in CX than in road racing!

Why?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Why?

I assume because he races a lot more offensively in CX.

 

[tobydawq]

I assume because he races a lot more offensively in CX.

Offensive racing doesn't really add anything to a cross race. You don't really see anyone racing defensively there, I don't think.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Offensive racing doesn't really add anything to a cross race. You don't really see anyone racing defensively there, I don't think.

There have been plenty of riders that waited to do one attack in the last lap. Especially when riders are each other's equal they tend to take less risks. Before Van Aert & Van der Poel you often had groups of up to 5 or 6 riders go into the final together. There are also courses where it's easier to sit in wheels and save energy as opposed to attacking early and go solo.

 

[tobydawq]

There have been plenty of riders that waited to do one attack in the last lap. Especially when riders are each other's equal they tend to take less risks. Before Van Aert & Van der Poel you often had groups of up to 5 or 6 riders go into the final together. There are also courses where it's easier to sit in wheels and save energy as opposed to attacking early and go solo.

I actually think I would prefer that.

Now it's just nap-time as soon as Mathieu or Wout has zipped away.

 

[Blanco]

Have it included in the autumn Italian races - that could work; either the week before, or after Il Lombardia.

Right between the Worlds and Lombardia would be the best slot imo.

 

[tobydawq]

Right between the Worlds and Lombardia would be the best slot imo.

Agreed.

 

[Bonimenier]

Right between the Worlds and Lombardia would be the best slot imo.

I also like that slot, but it really depends on the WC parcours as well. If it were to be a sprint or mountain WC, I'm afraid the classic guys would prefer to end their season earlier instead of peaking one last time in the season.

 

[Blanco]

I also like that slot, but it really depends on the WC parcours as well. If it were to be a sprint or mountain WC, I'm afraid the classic guys would prefer to end their season earlier instead of peaking one last time in the season.

Nowadays best classics guys can give it a shot at Lombardia, so I don't see a big problem there.
Also, the Worlds very rarely is strictly a race for the climbers. 90-95% of the time it suits classics guys.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I actually think I would prefer that.

Now it's just nap-time as soon as Mathieu or Wout has zipped away.

I understand what you mean. I think it depends greatly whether you're cheering for / supporting the rider that is dominating. In that case it's a 1 hour party. But for a neutral spectator, it would be boring.

 

[Sciatic]

No Wout at Strade is sad news, but the right approach if you want to be in best shape for the Ronde and Roubaix.

Hmm, seemed to work ok for Cancellara —but I suppose we’re already in a different era of training/racing,

 

[Netserk]

Hmm, seemed to work ok for Cancellara —but I suppose we’re already in a different era of training/racing,

He never won Strade and Ronde/Roubaix in the same year.

 

[Sciatic]

He never won Strade and Ronde/Roubaix in the same year.

Oh c’mon, I was responding to Remy’s comment that to be in the “best Shape” for Ronde & Roubaix it’s best to skip Strade. Cancellara did not appear to lack good form for the cobbles when also competitive at Strade:

2008: 2nd Strade, 2nd Roubaix
2010: 10th Strade, 1st at Ronde & Roubaix
2011: 5th Strade, 3rd Ronde, 2nd Roubaix
2012: 1st Strade, crashed out of Ronde as favorite
2013: 4th Strade, 1st at Ronde & Roubaix
2014: 6th Strade, 1st Ronde, 3rd Roubaix
2015: out most of Spring
2016: 1st Strade, 2nd Ronde

 

[noob]

Why?

Take into account my nick is noob for a reason lol, and he doesn't compete against ano of my favorites here. But...

Because he looks like a gazelle! Something about his moves on a CX bike are just so graceful! Like almost fluid. The contrast to the mud becomes outstanding. He looks like he's in his own element.

It might all be down to the intimacy of CX. RR is on a distance, the scenery takes more place than the individual riders and it's a team sport. You won't follow a particular rider in the same way as you do on a CX race.

In RR I used to really hate him. The very thought of him as possible world champion litterally made me sad. I think he might be better working for himself than others.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I hope Wout will become Belgian Cyclocross Champion 2022, tomorrow. He deserves it, it would be a nice reward.

Wout again, in this winter 21/22, took his cyclocross extremely serious, and it was a pleasure to watch him in these eight or nine races. He made us forget that it‘s offseason, at least for a moment. He is so complete, so strong all year long, on each terrain. Wins in the heat, in the snow, in the mud; in the mountains, the TT, the sprints. Just great what he gives to cycling and the community.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I hope Wout will become Belgian Cyclocross Champion 2022, tomorrow. He deserves it, it would be a nice reward.

Wout again, in this winter 21/22, took his cyclocross extremely serious, and it was a pleasure to watch him in these eight or nine races. He made us forget that it‘s offseason, at least for a moment. He is so complete, so strong all year long, on each terrain. Wins in the heat, in the snow, in the mud; in the mountains, the TT, the sprints. Just great what he gives to cycling and the community.

Considering there is a chance another Belgian can become worldchampion, it would be nice for him to become national champion again.
I'd put Pidcock at 50% with the other 50% divided between Iserbyt, Vantourenhout, Aerts, Van der Haar... that's basically it. Can't see Hermans, Sweeck or Van Kessel have a real chance.

 

[senna6541]

Considering there is a chance another Belgian can become worldchampion, it would be nice for him to become national champion again.
I'd put Pidcock at 50% with the other 50% divided between Iserbyt, Vantourenhout, Aerts, Van der Haar... that's basically it. Can't see Hermans, Sweeck or Van Kessel have a real chance.

I'd put Pidcock at 80% and then the field at 20%. Really no reason to even have the WC's here in the US. I doubt even 1% of Americans know who MVDP or WVA are, let alone Piddy and the rest of the field.

 

[davidsonduke]

I'm not CX expert, but I've watched a number of races this winter. The more climbing involved (riding and running), the better the chance for Pidcock and Iserbyt. Heavy mud/power course, and Aerts has a chance. Pidcock at his best with no issues will beat them both. Vantourenhout could win and could finish well back in 5th.

I can't remember the details of the Fayetteville course.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I'd put Pidcock at 80% and then the field at 20%. Really no reason to even have the WC's here in the US. I doubt even 1% of Americans know who MVDP or WVA are, let alone Piddy and the rest of the field.

Considering we can't have the race 100 times to see how many times Pidcock would win, it's a bit stupid to discuss it, but objectively speaking there is no way Pidcock has an 80% chance to win, not even close. He will not have help of any other countryman, he will not have help of any teammate. He has none. While there will be a big Belgian squad, and even if team interests play a bigger role, then you still have Aerts + Van der Haar who will work together, and Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout who will work together with possibly Sweeck. Then there is Hermans and Van Kessel, though i assume they will not really play a big role unless Hermans goes on an early rampage and everybody stays in Pidcock's wheel waiting for him to close the gap. Pidcock did win a few times lately, but not that dominantly in the slightest to claim he has an 80% chance at victory.

He was only marginally better than Aerts in Herentals beating him by one or two seconds (over one minute down on Van Aert). He was only 16 seconds faster than the mighty worldbeater Wyseure (i bet you 've never heard of him) in Gullegem. In Hulst he was 12 seconds faster than Iserbyt. In Baal he finished 19 seconds ahead of Iserbyt. In Zolder he had to beat Iserbyt in the sprint after having had to chase after him all race. In Dendermonde he got blown away and finished behind Sweeck, Hermans, Van Kessel, Aerts, Vanthourenhout. In Namur (one of the more prestigious crosses on the calendar) he was the big favorite but got clobbered by Vanthourenhout. In Rucphen the entire top 5 finished within 15 seconds. In Val di Sole he finished well behind Vanthourenhout.

One less than stellar day, one flat tire, one too many crash, a bad start... and it's out of his hands. No teammate to bridge a gap, and it will be all against Pidcock. Even if all goes well, the margins by which he beat the others who will be present at the WCC are in no way so extreme that you could make a claim that extreme. When he finished ahead of the others, which wasn't even always the case, it has been within 0 to 20 seconds. On any course imaginable, there will be one or two who can potentially beat him. He is not "part of the big 3". He is simply "best of the rest".

 

[Wvv]

Considering there is a chance another Belgian can become worldchampion, it would be nice for him to become national champion again.
I'd put Pidcock at 50% with the other 50% divided between Iserbyt, Vantourenhout, Aerts, Van der Haar... that's basically it. Can't see Hermans, Sweeck or Van Kessel have a real chance.

It's a Hermans parcours tho. Not that technical, but physically demanding. He won the WorldCup there in the beginning of the season.

But yes he often lacks those 2 % in finales of races. Most of the time he throws his cards on the table much too soon.