Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[Blanco]

What defined the careers of Sagan and Cancellara? Not only classics.

Without their Monument/Worlds wins they would not be remembered as cycling greats.
Without yellow and green jerseys, they would.

 

[Open Horizon]

Sunday will tell us a lot about whether Wout really has a structural problem with the great 250k+ attritional races.

For me it's still a question why exactly he's been seemingly 'underperforming' on the big days when he so clearly dominates on many other occasions.

Is it actually the length that kills off his edge, or is it the presence of superiorly talented puncheurs (Pogacar, MvdP, Evenepoel, Alaphilippe in the past), or did he just have plenty of bad luck so far?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

In hindsight he never should have lost that sprint against VDP in 2020, but it was his own fault by not starting the sprint earlier.

Sometimes it seems the cycling gods do not take it lightly when you mess up your own chances. I remember Vanmarcke riding with Cancellara to the line in Roubaix. Cancellara was the accomplished rider with a huge palmares, while Vanmarcke was this young up & comer. Vanmarcke who i believe had been at the front of the race for much longer, was doing way too much work in the final, trying to drop Cancellara in impossible places, wasting energy as crazy and taking big pulls, instead of just letting the big champion do most of the work. They went to the line and to nobody's surprise, Vanmarcke didn't win. But hey, "the guy is young and still has at least 10 chances to win here", everybody was sure he would become a multiple Roubaix winner at some point.
Two years ago, nearly an exact scenario with Florian Vermeersch, who is supposed to be a university student with an active career in politics. After a full day in the break, he enters the final with Van der Poel and Colbrelli. You would assume this young guy who's been wasting energy all day, and supposedly has a brain, would leave the work to the two favorites. No, he doesn't. Nor does he win. But again, a big future is predicted. What have we seen of Florian Vermeersch since? Nothing.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Vanmarcke or Vermeersch aren't exactly "WVA caliber" but I see your point. Chances don't just keep coming. Then again he does still have plenty of years left to fill some more gaps in his palmares. If I were a betting man I wouldn't bet against him winning RVV or PR at least once.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Sometimes it seems the cycling gods do not take it lightly when you mess up your own chances. I remember Vanmarcke riding with Cancellara to the line in Roubaix. Cancellara was the accomplished rider with a huge palmares, while Vanmarcke was this young up & comer. Vanmarcke who i believe had been at the front of the race for much longer, was doing way too much work in the final, trying to drop Cancellara in impossible places, wasting energy as crazy and taking big pulls, instead of just letting the big champion do most of the work. They went to the line and to nobody's surprise, Vanmarcke didn't win. But hey, "the guy is young and still has at least 10 chances to win here", everybody was sure he would become a multiple Roubaix winner at some point.
Two years ago, nearly an exact scenario with Florian Vermeersch, who is supposed to be a university student with an active career in politics. After a full day in the break, he enters the final with Van der Poel and Colbrelli. You would assume this young guy who's been wasting energy all day, and supposedly has a brain, would leave the work to the two favorites. No, he doesn't. Nor does he win. But again, a big future is predicted. What have we seen of Florian Vermeersch since? Nothing.

i agree, but Vermeersch was even the guy who had it worst in that edition of Paris- Roubaix, the teamcar giving Moscon a spare bike with waaay too much tire pressure when he was on his way to winning the race was brutal.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

i agree, but Vermeersch was even the guy who had it worst in that edition of Paris- Roubaix, the teamcar giving Moscon a spare bike with waaay too much tire pressure when he was on his way to winning the race was brutal.

Yeah, where was this idiot Ineos mechanic last year, when Van Aert needed him!

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

He's not going to be outright leader with WVA in the same team.
It wouldn't be a smart racing strategy either, they are complimentary riders.

Letting Evenepoel go on the offensive while WVA sits on everyone's wheels seems like a pretty tough strategy to beat.
Most other countries don't have 2 guys on that level, it would be stupid not to use them both as leaders.

Plan A - Remco attacks at his time of choosing. If that happens to fail, Van Aert is Plan B for silver in the sprint.

 

[dobrien]

Vanmarcke or Vermeersch aren't exactly "WVA caliber" but I see your point. Chances don't just keep coming. Then again he does still have plenty of years left to fill some more gaps in his palmares. If I were a betting man I wouldn't bet against him winning RVV or PR at least once.

I would not agree that he has "plenty of years left"; he's 28, and while not 37 like GVA he's not 24 either. Another year or two being outfoxed/outclassed, new riders coming up, next thing you know Wout wakes up and he's 32 and doesn't quite have the punch he used to. It happens to a lot of people and given what we saw Sunday I would not say he has chances to burn, that's for sure.

A win on Sunday would be truly massive for him, it really would. But he is going to be running into a very ticked-off MVDP, who was NOT happy with 2nd place at De Ronde and who will be gunning for his own epic victory at Roubaix. I'd say Wout has his work cut out for him.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Vanmarcke or Vermeersch aren't exactly "WVA caliber" but I see your point. Chances don't just keep coming. Then again he does still have plenty of years left to fill some more gaps in his palmares. If I were a betting man I wouldn't bet against him winning RVV or PR at least once.

But Vanmarcke was 24, not 28. Vermeersch was 22. At that age Van Aert had won diddly squat as a road racer. If i were a betting man, i would in fact bet against him to ever win RVV. As i explained earlier, he is too good to be given a headstart. But he isn't good enough to stay with peak Van der Poel or Pogacar on these climbs after 250k. His best chance would be to have 2 really bad seasons, so -just like Asgreen now- he would not be considered a top contender and given some space. Or hope others crash out.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

If Wout van Aert continues to absolutely smash the Tour in July whilst collecting stages & also winning some other stuff throughout the year, then he's not exactly a "classics guy" is he? He's like a brilliant all-rounder who can win the Ventoux & also win green in the TdF.

The "classics guy" label isn't written in stone, i.e. just because a rider is expected to excel at something it doesn't mean that's what he's really good at or that's what he'll win (like in France, Alaphilippe was expected to win Liège already years ago, i.e. something which looks increasingly unlikely, yet he won 2 Worlds back to back & will be remembered for that).

And yes with regards to WvA, being mega strong in the Tour will absolutely define his career. The Ventoux win, the Champs win, last year's green, dropping Pog on Hautacam. These were legendary rides in the biggest race of the year.

Best post on the subject, by a mile.

 

[tobydawq]

Best post on the subject, by a mile.

Admins on this site will tell you that dropping Pogacar on Hautacam isn't noteworthy and something any rider can do because he didn't have to ride all-out to the top.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

But Vanmarcke was 24, not 28. Vermeersch was 22. At that age Van Aert had won diddly squat as a road racer. If i were a betting man, i would in fact bet against him to ever win RVV. As i explained earlier, he is too good to be given a headstart. But he isn't good enough to stay with peak Van der Poel or Pogacar on these climbs after 250k. His best chance would be to have 2 really bad seasons, so -just like Asgreen now- he would not be considered a top contender and given some space. Or hope others crash out.

Wasn't Cancellara 29 when he first won RVV?... I mean, yeah, he had a motor to help him, but still...

And PR has many times been an old man's race, so here's to hoping he takes one in the next 1-9 years. If he never wins RVV, I think we can still count him as one of the best riders to have ever ridden in the pro peloton. Your results may vary.

 

[staubsauger]

Vermeersch did try to escape on the last cobbled section, Colbrelli closed his move. That's wrong memory.

It's Van der Poel who should've countered the Vermeersch attack after Colbrelli closed the gap and who actually lost the final sprint even against the Belgian.

Colbrelli was some sort of a sprinter. What else Vermeersch could have done?

 

[vwpe]

WVA is a poor mans MVDP is and always has been nothing wrong with that just facts...

Also if he cant win more monuments he hardly cant be recognised to best classics riders and far from it he needs to step it up a notch and two in order for that to happen if that happen then we can talk, time will tell. Atm hes a glorified Var Avermaet!

 

[Peyroteo94]

Wasn't Cancellara 29 when he first won RVV?... I mean, yeah, he had a motor to help him, but still...

And PR has many times been an old man's race, so here's to hoping he takes one in the next 1-9 years. If he never wins RVV, I think we can still count him as one of the best riders to have ever ridden in the pro peloton. Your results may vary.

But Cancellara won a Roubaix at 26

 

[Boes]

WVA is a poor mans MVDP is and always has been nothing wrong with that just facts...

Also if he cant win a monument he hardly cant be recognised to best classics riders and far from it he needs to step it up a notch and two in order for that to happen if that happen then we can talk, time will tell. Atm hes a glorified Var Avermaet!

Well luckily he already won MSR so in your logic he can be counted with the best classic riders.

Edit: glorified Van Avermaet: people seem to forget GVA won E3, Omloop (twice), Paris Roubiax, wore yellow jersey (several weeks in total), won points jersey in Veulta, won Tirreno and several stages in tour. Glorified Van Avermaet is a compliment. Heck even MVP is a glorified Van Avermaet in that regard.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

But Cancellara won a Roubaix at 26

Wout van Aert's wins when he was 26

30	Tour of Britain	2.Pro	2021-09-12	ME
29	Tour of Britain | Stage 8	2.Pro	2021-09-12	ME
28	Tour of Britain | Stage 6	2.Pro	2021-09-10	ME
27	Tour of Britain | Stage 4	2.Pro	2021-09-08	ME
26	Tour of Britain | Stage 1	2.Pro	2021-09-05	ME
25	Tour de France | Stage 21	2.UWT	2021-07-18	ME
24	Tour de France | Stage 20 (ITT)	2.UWT	2021-07-17	ME
23	Tour de France | Stage 11	2.UWT	2021-07-07	ME
22	National Championships Belgium - Road Race	NC	2021-06-20	ME
21	Amstel Gold Race	1.UWT	2021-04-18	ME
20	Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields ME	1.UWT	2021-03-28	ME
19	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 7 (ITT)	2.UWT	2021-03-16	ME
18	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 1	2.UWT	2021-03-10	ME

....seems pretty good to me

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Cancellara at 26:

27	World Championships ME - ITT	WC	2006-09-21	ME
26	Post Danmark Rundt	2.HC	2006-08-06	ME
25	Post Danmark Rundt | Stage 5 (ITT)	2.HC	2006-08-05	ME
24	Post Danmark Rundt | Stage 2	2.HC	2006-08-03	ME
23	National Championships Switzerland - ITT	NC	2006-06-24	ME
22	Volta Ciclista a Catalunya | Stage 1 (ITT)	2.PT	2006-05-15	ME
21	Paris - Roubaix	1.PT	2006-04-09	ME
20	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 5 (ITT)	WT	2006-03-12

...I think a big cup of STFU is in order for a lot of people here.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

For reference MVDP for 2021:

34	Tour de France | Stage 2	2.UWT	2021-06-27	ME
33	Tour de Suisse | Stage 3	2.UWT	2021-06-08	ME
32	Tour de Suisse | Stage 2	2.UWT	2021-06-07	ME
31	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 5	2.UWT	2021-03-14	ME
30	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 3	2.UWT	2021-03-12	ME
29	Strade Bianche	1.UWT	2021-03-06	ME
28	UAE Tour | Stage 1	2.UWT	2021-02-21

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

...okay, maybe Pidcock won Amstel in '21...

 

[Ilmaestro99]

WVA is a poor mans MVDP is and always has been nothing wrong with that just facts...

Also if he cant win a monument he hardly cant be recognised to best classics riders and far from it he needs to step it up a notch and two in order for that to happen if that happen then we can talk, time will tell. Atm hes a glorified Var Avermaet!

Hes not better palmares than GVA , GVA have more big wins and a better palmares (just stretched over a longer time period). He's a Belgian pozzato let's be honest. But if he win Roubaix he will shed that moniker. He need to learn to race smarter as I have stated since 2021 spring

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

WVA is a poor mans MVDP is and always has been nothing wrong with that just facts...

Also if he cant win a monument he hardly cant be recognised to best classics riders and far from it he needs to step it up a notch and two in order for that to happen if that happen then we can talk, time will tell. Atm hes a glorified Var Avermaet!

Not yet Tersptra level then?

 

[Peyroteo94]

Wout van Aert's wins when he was 26

30	Tour of Britain	2.Pro	2021-09-12	ME
29	Tour of Britain | Stage 8	2.Pro	2021-09-12	ME
28	Tour of Britain | Stage 6	2.Pro	2021-09-10	ME
27	Tour of Britain | Stage 4	2.Pro	2021-09-08	ME
26	Tour of Britain | Stage 1	2.Pro	2021-09-05	ME
25	Tour de France | Stage 21	2.UWT	2021-07-18	ME
24	Tour de France | Stage 20 (ITT)	2.UWT	2021-07-17	ME
23	Tour de France | Stage 11	2.UWT	2021-07-07	ME
22	National Championships Belgium - Road Race	NC	2021-06-20	ME
21	Amstel Gold Race	1.UWT	2021-04-18	ME
20	Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields ME	1.UWT	2021-03-28	ME
19	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 7 (ITT)	2.UWT	2021-03-16	ME
18	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 1	2.UWT	2021-03-10	ME

....seems pretty good to me

Seriously, do you want to compare Cancellara with WVA?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

What else Vermeersch could have done?

Stop working?

 

[Peyroteo94]

Cancellara at 26:

27	World Championships ME - ITT	WC	2006-09-21	ME
26	Post Danmark Rundt	2.HC	2006-08-06	ME
25	Post Danmark Rundt | Stage 5 (ITT)	2.HC	2006-08-05	ME
24	Post Danmark Rundt | Stage 2	2.HC	2006-08-03	ME
23	National Championships Switzerland - ITT	NC	2006-06-24	ME
22	Volta Ciclista a Catalunya | Stage 1 (ITT)	2.PT	2006-05-15	ME
21	Paris - Roubaix	1.PT	2006-04-09	ME
20	Tirreno-Adriatico | Stage 5 (ITT)	WT	2006-03-12

...I think a big cup of STFU is in order for a lot of people here.

You are missing Tour de France wins and a TT WC. How convenient...