Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[Brullnux]

This is just hater bs.

I'm not a hater, what I'm saying goes against the tide of 'Van Aert washed'. Van Aert has never really performed at the level of Pogacar/Remco in a hard-raced hilly classic, and that's not an insult to him, he's just a different kind of rider. Even in 2022's Liege, he wasn't exactly a protagonist, just got back on to G2 and lost in a sprint to Hermans.

Obviously, Amstel suits him more, but it's no disgrace to lose to 2025 versions of Pogacar and Remco in the fastest ever Amstel where every hill from 60km out was raced all-out. I think Red Rick is right and there's a non-zero chance that at his best he has enough in his legs post-hills to follow Remco, but that isn't a given. If the best climbers in the world race Amstel with that intensity, then the 80kg guy is on the back foot. I think yesterday's performance is reassuring, if anything.

 

[EllaChimp]

Wout has been in the top 4 in his last 5 races. That's pretty damn good, considering the endless injuries he's had and the state his knees are still in! He's doing well and will continue to recover and will get some wins again, I'm sure of it.

 

[veganrob]

Peak van Aert was TdF 2022, stage 4. That version does not get dropped

So three light years ago.

 

[Oldman]

Peak van Aert was TdF 2022, stage 4. That version does not get dropped

Oh, don't forget he felt the need to express that power riding past his teammate, Primoz and towing Jonas to a big gap on his fellow rider. That was, indeed a heroic display of his prowess! Meanwhile; Primoz re-set his own dislocated shoulder and finished the stage. He then managed to work Tadej over a few times which may have helped Jonas win that Tour.

Karma bites and there is still one more chunk to be taken out of Visma to satisfy the imbalance.

 

[peterfin]

Wout starts his first giro. What are his goals actually? Win a stage and go for the points classification? Or help Kooij winning sprints and help Yates get a podium spot?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Wout starts his first giro. What are his goals actually? Win a stage and go for the points classification? Or help Kooij winning sprints and help Yates get a podium spot?

Probably all of the above

 

[Sciatic]

Wout starts his first giro. What are his goals actually? Win a stage and go for the points classification? Or help Kooij winning sprints and help Yates get a podium spot?

I would think stage win or two would be most important objective. He hasn’t won on the road in awhile. Certainly helping Yates as he always has for team’s GC leader. If he’s going for the points jersey then maybe he races for himself, not Kooij, in sprints? That seems unclear to me.

 

[Berniece]

Wout starts his first giro. What are his goals actually? Win a stage and go for the points classification? Or help Kooij winning sprints and help Yates get a podium spot?

Stage wins, wear pink jersey and help his team. First two are the most important because he already did this in TDF and Vuelta so this would complete his triple.

 

[Jan the Man]

Stage wins, wear pink jersey and help his team. First two are the most important because he already did this in TDF and Vuelta so this would complete his triple.

I would have thought he’s a favourite to wear the Maglia Rosa in the first week. Should have no problem in the first stage but will be the favourite in the 2nd stage. Maybe Tarling can challenge for stage 2 with good legs but there is a short climb in the TT so suspect Wout will have too much. The second TT should be a good shootout between them

 

[pvieira91]

wondering if i should have him on my fantasy team. I want him to be successful, but i'm not sure on his shape and the fact that he will be the lead out for Olav in sprint stages make him too expensive.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

wondering if i should have him on my fantasy team. I want him to be successful, but i'm not sure on his shape and the fact that he will be the lead out for Olav in sprint stages make him too expensive.

Which fantasy game are you talking about? It depends on so much...

 

[Earns1985]

wondering if i should have him on my fantasy team. I want him to be successful, but i'm not sure on his shape and the fact that he will be the lead out for Olav in sprint stages make him too expensive.

Is it even sure, that Kooij will start? Visma didn´t announce their final roster yet?

 

[Links2003]

I think to help kooij and have his own chances is both possible. There are also some stages with opportunities for sprints but perhaps not with the whole peloton. In good shape he will have the chance to win on several stages and for the leader jersey.

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

Wout starts his first giro. What are his goals actually? Win a stage and go for the points classification? Or help Kooij winning sprints and help Yates get a podium spot?

Goals:

• create chaos (not that hard in the Giro);
• try to win a stage and get second every time;
• Either win the points or end up crashing in the points jersey;
• Help Kooij win 3 stages;
• Somehow sneak in the top 10 for way too long until the last mountain stages

In short: entertain us with his random greatness but fall short wrt results / wins.

 

[Red Rick]

I actually wonder if he will have free reign on the Siena stage or if he has to baby sit Yates.

 

[Netserk]

I assume that he has free reign in the Giro and then gets to work in the Tour.

 

[MJR]

I assume that he has free reign in the Giro and then gets to work in the Tour.

Seconded. He's likely off the leash completely.

And with the spring classics done and dusted, it's easy to see his lack of wins and think he's past his prime. But I'd wager that 99% of the pro peloton would kill for his spring record this year. I still think his focus of being good for most of the year and having to be the World's Best Domestique every July has meant he didn't nab the big wins he probably should have. But this has all been said many times before...

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Which fantasy game are you talking about? It depends on so much...

There really should be no question: at least in this forum, there should only be one that counts.

 

[Berniece]

I actually wonder if he will have free reign on the Siena stage or if he has to baby sit Yates.

Maybe it’s not even worth baby sitting Yates anymore by then

 

[Red Rick]

Maybe it’s not even worth baby sitting Yates anymore by then

Stage 7 is perfect for that one stage where Yates looks like possible Giro winner before incoming collapse.

 

[yaco]

Maybe it’s not even worth baby sitting Yates anymore by then

Yates is very easy going. he just requires one rider in the final.

 

[Berniece]

WVA has been sick past few weeks. Only had 1 decent training since AGR

Ziekte fnuikt de ambities van Wout van Aert bij de start van de Giro: "Ik tast in het duister hoe goed mijn conditie is" | sporza

Wout van Aert begint vrijdag aan zijn eerste Ronde van Italië, maar een virale infectie heeft zijn voorbereiding de afgelopen weken flink verstoord. "Ik start toch met vraagtekens", geeft een zichtbaar twijfelende Van Aert duidelijk aan. "Roze is meer een droom dan realiteit geworden."

sporza.be

 

[MJR]

It's a little scary how well this hair style works for Wout.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Best sprint he‘s done this year, lacked some fitness on the climb but still good showing.

 

[SafeBet]

Much better than I feared when I heard about the sickness. Hopefully he takes the maglia rosa tomorrow.