Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[scribers]

I guess 3rd place at Giro d'italia general classement is better than 3rd place at Flanders

Haha. But seriously a grand tour podium is probably better than a monument podium. I’d argue the opposite for the winner of Flanders vs giro

 

[SHAD0W93]

Wait till WVA starts moving up Red Rick’s active climbers list while at the same weight to demolish the Giro.

 

[Netserk]

I would love it if he somehow could cling on to a high GC position, only to get completely creamed on Grappa and drop out of the top-10.

 

[scribers]

It’s quite possible this misplaced ambition leads to no serious wins this year. Or he manages to distinguish hjmself as the most complete rider in the peloton. Very high risk gamble.

 

[SafeBet]

WVA going for GC makes the Giro much more interesting regardless of his real chances. He could start the Alps with 4 or 5 minutes on the best climber.
And Jumbo will likely have other cards to play in case he fades during the third week.

 

[theyoungest]

WVA going for GC makes the Giro much more interesting regardless of his real chances. He could start the Alps with 4 or 5 minutes on the best climber.
And Jumbo will likely have other cards to play in case he fades during the third week.

Combined with Merijn Zeeman's comments about giving young guys opportunities in the Giro, and top-10 on GC could already be a good result, I actually think he's not going for GC. It doesn't suit Jumbo's approach either to train for the classics and then a month later to go for GC in the Giro.

But I didn't expect him to go to the Giro at all so maybe it's a complete turnaround.

 

[yaco]

Combined with Merijn Zeeman's comments about giving young guys opportunities in the Giro, and top-10 on GC could already be a good result, I actually think he's not going for GC. It doesn't suit Jumbo's approach either to train for the classics and then a month later to go for GC in the Giro.

But I didn't expect him to go to the Giro at all so maybe it's a complete turnaround.

VWA has to go to the Giro at some stage in his career and 2024 is as good a time as any, though I doubt he'll ride for GC.

 

[scribers]

If he doesn’t go for GC, what is he doing there? Stage wins are nice but there are bigger prizes in the spring (arguably).

Personally I think dragging koolj to the line in may with a real focus on a personal campaign of classics and Olympics later is a noble ambition.

 

[Escarabajo]

Wiggo did it, Dumo did it, Thomas did it, WVA can do it.

I agree, but then the classics are a conflict for him due to his weight. Just saying. Maybe He is just going for stages and for his participation fee.

 

[proffate]

It’s quite possible this misplaced ambition leads to no serious wins this year. Or he manages to distinguish hjmself as the most complete rider in the peloton. Very high risk gamble.

Pogacar has won Flanders and the tour. I don't think Wout is unseating him as most well-rounded no matter what happens at the giro.

 

[KZD]

I guess 3rd place at Giro d'italia general classement is better than 3rd place at Flanders

Honestly if he manages to podium the Giro, I will take my hat off.

Unlike it happens in the one day races, I can actually find myself rooting for Van Aert at the Giro.

 

[scribers]

Pogacar has won Flanders and the tour. I don't think Wout is unseating him as most well-rounded no matter what happens at the giro.

Wout is also a straight up sprinter. And flat course diesel

 

[Berniece]

I can see him finish top-5 maybe even top-3 in the GC at the Giro, and then he'll probably win 1 or 2 golden medals at the Olympics

 

[Salvarani]

He is not going there for GC, lol.

He will be going there for stages and the points jersey.

In the spring he will likely race Strade, T-A, MSR, E3, Flanders and PR before the Giro.

Belgium nationals and then he will go all in on the Olympics.

In the Tour, he cant ride for Jumbo like VdP did for Alpecin last season. A lot more is expected of him.

This program makes a lot more sense for Van Aert next season. He will probably win 4-5 stages in the Giro.

 

[Blanco]

I guess 3rd place at Giro d'italia general classement is better than 3rd place at Flanders

Top 10 place would be a success, 3rd place.., I don't think it will happen.

 

[scribers]

Could it be the giro is giving him (them) a hefty bag of cash to play GC make believe and then show up for whatever is realistic ?

 

[Berniece]

Top 10 place would be a success, 3rd place.., I don't think it will happen.

With the idea that he won’t weigh 78kg’s of course. If they focus on changing his physique I can see it happening, but can you change this so quickly in just 6 months.

 

[Barkintheeye]

With the idea that he won’t weigh 78kg’s of course. If they focus on changing his physique I can see it happening, but can you change this so quickly in just 6 months.

Yes but can he do that AND still maintain power and ability to win Flanders, Paris-Roubaix etc? Sounds amazing but is it feasible?

 

[Berniece]

Yes but can he do that AND still maintain power and ability to win Flanders, Paris-Roubaix etc? Sounds amazing but is it feasible?

No that won’t be possible, he’ll have to choose, and I think he’ll choose the Giro. Maybe his nee physique might help him in Flanders. At Jumbo they might have thought of Pogacar can win it when weighing much less, maybe we can do the same with Wout

 

[pastronef]

With the idea that he won’t weigh 78kg’s of course. If they focus on changing his physique I can see it happening, but can you change this so quickly in just 6 months.

Jumbo can. Jumbo can do everything

 

[Elos Anjos]

Mark my words.
Rigobert Uran and Colombia hospitality is the trigger that WVA needed to loose his mental blocks and evolve to his next level. No more eternal 2nd!

That or he will become a raging alcoholic after 2024.

 

[gregrowlerson]

No that won’t be possible, he’ll have to choose, and I think he’ll choose the Giro. Maybe his nee physique might help him in Flanders. At Jumbo they might have thought of Pogacar can win it when weighing much less, maybe we can do the same with Wout

Losing weight to help him defeat Pogacar and MVDP at Flanders whilst targeting a decent GC finish in the Giro does make some crazy sense. I think the biggest question is whether he could avoid one really bad day (he is obviously going to lose some proper time in the high mountains to seasoned GC riders, but a minute or two here and there could be possible and could keep him close to the podium).

 

[Berniece]

Losing weight to help him defeat Pogacar and MVDP at Flanders whilst targeting a decent GC finish in the Giro does make some crazy sense. I think the biggest question is whether he could avoid one really bad day (he is obviously going to lose some proper time in the high mountains to seasoned GC riders, but a minute or two here and there could be possible and could keep him close to the podium).

I think the bigger issue might be that you can’t be in top shape for that long, from beginning of April to end of may. 9 weeks at the top of your game is too long. It makes more sense to target Liege if you lose weight anyway

 

[scribers]

The recipe for him scratching the top ten at the giro. And literally winning nothing else in the season is all right there. This GC ambition is just crazy talk.

 

[Didinho]

He's got a big chance for the pink jersey in the first stage, for me that's his main target in this Giro apart from other stage wins. You can't go for GC after the classics I suppose.