Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[meat puppet]

Still, despite it all being hard and stuff he put his best numbers relative to other years just before the classics according to Heijboer.

Yup, I think the naysayers are overreacting, but such is life.

Also and more generally (not directed to DT) wva is a tough mf mentally. Think about it. Outshined by a rival that descends from cycling royalty to boot from a very early age. Has had his share of misfortunes, some almost career threatening. Still performs and comes across as a decent dude.

This may also be his problem, ofc. The "lagom" mentality then gets expressed in racing: lacking initiative, timidity and the like. Killer instinct as it is put here. One time he said after losing to MvdP that perhaps he is not the no1 stud in the world and that's okay, he has other things such as family. I think that was very telling.

So he loses more often than not. Perhaps more aggressive racing style would help. But to me the key question is: who identifies with domination in any sort of social and institutional context, of which organised sport is a prime good example, anyway? (Yeah, many do 🙄).

So I can admire VDP, pogi etc as specimen, but not relate to what they represent in any way. Wva is different in this respect.

 

[Blanco]

Mathieu is more explosive...but when he has to do that over 3 weeks of racing, he sh!ts the bed every time. Wout comes in 2nd a lot to Mathieu, but Mathieu drops out of races where Wout is winning stages. He's just weaker in that way, it's the groupetto for Mathieu on the hard days...Wout is up there dropping GT leaders for his team. Mathieu just doesn't have the engine to do that. Never will.

Look, Boonen won just a couple of GT stages throughout his long career, but I didn't noticed that he's considered a lesser rider because of that. His primary target were one-day races, especially the ones with cobbles. And he won them all (ok, bar Omloop), and the greatest number of them. And that was his true legacy.
Peter Sagan won plenty of GT stages, won 7 green jersey's, but still when talked about his greatness, everyone points that he's a triple world champion and a double monument winner. That jersey's and stages are secondary thing.
That applies also for Van Der Poel. I think he's perfectly aware where and how he will cement himself as an all-time great. And that is not at the Grand Tours.
And finally, we have a perfect example for Van Aert in the like of Fabian Cancellara. He was, just like Wout, a huge engine, and was able to produce magnificent rides in the GT's both for himself and his fellow teammates. But he was doing this only for couple of years, until he focused almost exclusively on classics.
That Van Aert's magnificent rides on Ventoux, Hautacam, Champs-Elysses, etc will not have too much significance if he stays at this number of biggest wins.

 

[dobrien]

While it's not getting easier and he might lose some explosiveness, I don't see why he can't win Flanders in the coming years. Guys like boonen and cancellara managed. In fact Boonen had one of his best seasons at 31.

And GvA had his moments in the sun around the age of 29-32 and maybe should have won it in 2017 at the age of 31.

And then ofcourse there are always the possibilities that Wout wins it at a twilight point of his career, benefitting from a underdog position, with nobody marking him. The final chapters of his cycling story are not written yet.

I'm predicting he will win Flanders at least once and Roubaix twice in his career. (Let's hope this ages well)..

I certainly hope you are right and I am wrong.

 

[meat puppet]

The sooner a very few handfull fans comes to grip with the most obvious elephant in the room the better and more enjoyable it will be for you.

Mvdp chances of winning goes down with Wva out. Its easier for him to win when Wva is in it, that should tell you all you need to know regarding Mvdp and Wva strenght wice.

Mvdp is miles ahead talent and strenght wice its not even close, never has been.

Thought the same about this RVV.

Cycling is not marathon running, after all. Thank universe for the non-linear relationship between speed and aerodynamic drag.

But perhaps other teams just wuss out and win the race for VDP.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Look, Boonen won just a couple of GT stages throughout his long career, but I didn't noticed that he's considered a lesser rider because of that. His primary target were one-day races, especially the ones with cobbles. And he won them all (ok, bar Omloop), and the greatest number of them. And that was his true legacy.
Peter Sagan won plenty of GT stages, won 7 green jersey's, but still when talked about his greatness, everyone points that he's a triple world champion and a double monument winner. That jersey's and stages are secondary thing.
That applies also for Van Der Poel. I think he's perfectly aware where and how he will cement himself as an all-time great. And that is not at the Grand Tours.
And finally, we have a perfect example for Van Aert in the like of Fabian Cancellara. He was, just like Wout, a huge engine, and was able to produce magnificent rides in the GT's both for himself and his fellow teammates. But he was doing this only for couple of years, until he focused almost exclusively on classics.
That Van Aert's magnificent rides on Ventoux, Hautacam, Champs-Elysses, etc will not have too much significance if he stays at this number of biggest wins.

This is actually really good analysis...which is sorely lacking in relaton to Wout. Comparing him to Pozzato or worse is so tiresome. My post was meant to highlight that exact type of hyperbole, turned on MvdP. (I mean, you've got dipsh!ts in one thread, saying Wout is the most overrated rider in the peloton...I just don't know how to deal with such stupidity) I don't think the Tour wins by Sagan or Wout are considered as lowly as you suggest, but certainly, if Wout never wins another monument, his career will only be judged against Mathieu, as the "also ran" guy, who never quite had what it took to win the big one.

What is really sad to me is that this season was torn from him, by an unfortunate incident that could have happened to anyone, but for some reason seems to attaced to a guy who has had many other misfortunes. I had forgotten about Wout flatting out of 1st in the CX WC's until Hugh pointed them out. He's just had sh!t luck so many times, and this one seems particularly hard, as the injuries are significant...and he didn't even crash in a monument.

 

[pastronef]

WTF, it'll be too early!

Giro d'Italia still a 'serious option' for Wout van Aert despite multiple fractures

Het Laatste Nieuws reports that Belgian's pain is subsiding, though Visma-Lease A Bike say there is 'no news to report'

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Netserk]

Likely so, but we don't have the full picture.

 

[Peyroteo94]

What he does to not babysit Vingegaard in the Tour

 

[Ricco']

I still don't understand how the Giro is seen as a above all better option to prepare for the Olympics rather than the Tour. With his injuries, wouldn't do a GT without proper preparation in the month leading up to it be more detrimental long term?

Recent examples have shown exactly the opposite, that riders doing the GT right before the major championship race are more likely to feature in the top-10 than the ones who don't. In Tokyo, 8 out of the 10 top-10 riders did the Tour (exceptions, 9th Yates and 10th Schachmann), with 2 of the 3 podium riders fighting for the TdF podium.

In 2016, 9 out of the first 10 riders did the Tour before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics (exception - Zeits). And both of those cases required more travel out of riders that did the Tour, traveling to another continent after finishing the 3 weeks, instead of staying in the same country.

The same for Glasgow last year, where the top-10 was almost exclusively composed of TdF riders. And the most high profile rider who prepared for the Worlds without doing the TdF was nowhere to be seen.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Staying healthy on the long run should be a priority and in my opinion too many broken bones to undertake Giro 2024 and likely that includes undertaking the Tour 2024 too.

So two to three months for body to heal and only then to start the prep for future races.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Yeah gl

https://twitter.com/x/status/1775448563419377762

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yeah gl

https://twitter.com/x/status/1775448563419377762

These dudes are made of iron. They are not normal human beings.

 

[Salvarani]

These dudes are made of iron. They are not normal human beings.

Yes, it is admirable. Just gonna mention he didnt ride his bike but took a walk, which nonetheless is no small feat a week after his injuries.

 

[senna6541]

Wait a minute,

WTF, it'll be too early!

Giro d'Italia still a 'serious option' for Wout van Aert despite multiple fractures

Het Laatste Nieuws reports that Belgian's pain is subsiding, though Visma-Lease A Bike say there is 'no news to report'

www.cyclingnews.com

Wait a minute, doesn't the Giro start in a month? For f___ sakes let the guy heal up a bit. There is no scenario where this could be a good idea. In the words of his rival, "Is this a joke?"

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think it's just not ruled out completely yet, as opposed to it being plan A and trying to go to the Giro at all costs.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I still don't understand how the Giro is seen as a above all better option to prepare for the Olympics rather than the Tour. With his injuries, wouldn't do a GT without proper preparation in the month leading up to it be more detrimental long term?

Recent examples have shown exactly the opposite, that riders doing the GT right before the major championship race are more likely to feature in the top-10 than the ones who don't. In Tokyo, 8 out of the 10 top-10 riders did the Tour (exceptions, 9th Yates and 10th Schachmann), with 2 of the 3 podium riders fighting for the TdF podium.

In 2016, 9 out of the first 10 riders did the Tour before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics (exception - Zeits). And both of those cases required more travel out of riders that did the Tour, traveling to another continent after finishing the 3 weeks, instead of staying in the same country.

The same for Glasgow last year, where the top-10 was almost exclusively composed of TdF riders. And the most high profile rider who prepared for the Worlds without doing the TdF was nowhere to be seen.

I would hesitate to draw that conclusion. Perhaps the explanation is simply that it's because those are among the best riders in the World that they're both top 10'ing the Olympics and doing the Tour - not that the Tour is the best preparation. Just a thought.

 

[yaco]

I suspect that if Wout misses the Giro then he will also miss the TDF and ride an alternative calendar

 

[Slavique Nuke]

I suspect that if Wout misses the Giro then he will also miss the TDF and ride an alternative calendar

If Vingegaard is skipping the Tdf, then I do not see any reason why WvA should not have a free role in the TdF

 

[Kwaremonster]

Olympics and world's will be his main goals, after that stage wins in any grand tour. If he can achieve those goals by riding the tour, then he will do that, otherwise Vuelta it is..

 

[Valv.Piti]

A depressing time to be a fan of Wout van Aert. Very sad for him and cycling fans in general. Pogacar and Wout are the only riders in the world capable of doing anything to this Mathieu. Would pay a lot of money to see what Wout could have done today.

 

[vwpe]

You saw it at WC and E3 and all their career basicly.... Pogacar is the only one debatable doing anything to this Mvdp.

Wva as great as he is wouldnt stand a chance like we've seen time and time again!

 

[KOM]

You saw it at WC and E3 and all their career basicly.... Pogacar is the only one debatable doing anything to this Mvdp.

Wva as great as he is wouldnt stand a chance like we've seen time and time again!

Not true for Roubaix imo, but im pretty sure he wouldve punctured, crashed or done sth stupid in a bad moment and the winner wouldve been the same

 

[Valv.Piti]

Yeah Mathieu was steamrolling Wout last Roubaix, my bad. Just gtfo

 

[Volderke]

You saw it at WC and E3 and all their career basicly.... Pogacar is the only one debatable doing anything to this Mvdp.

Wva as great as he is wouldnt stand a chance like we've seen time and time again!

I am fed up with all the 'MdvP is 2 levels up WvA'. At his best, MvdP is one level above WvA in cobbled races / races with sharp short hills but given the PR they did together, they're pretty much the same strength in this race.

2024 WvA was the only one who would have (easily) followed MvdP and worked with him to sprint 1vs. 1 on the velodrome.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I am fed up with all the 'MdvP is 2 levels up WvA'. At his best, MvdP is one level above WvA in cobbled races / races with sharp short hills but given the PR they did together, they're pretty much the same strength in this race.

2024 WvA was the only one who would have (easily) followed MvdP and worked with him to sprint 1vs. 1 on the velodrome.

Just look at the competition when he goes. His biggest competitor is sitting 2nd freaking wheel and can not do nothing but look at him sail away 60 km from the finish.

People trying to tell me Wout cannot follow him there should be drug tested. Maybe he gets dropped at Carrefour, maybe not, maybe he loses in the sprint, but more likely Wout will get some untimely bad luck and get 2nd anyways.