Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[topcat]

He looked absolutely knackered after the stage yesterday. Got a chuckle out of him saying "getting back was hard, taking the bonis wasn't "

He'll saunter up to the world championships fresh as a daisy. Van Aert doesn't get fatigue.

 

[hayneplane]

Maybe he will ride CX in the winter but as off season intensity training rather than targeting it as a major goal. Crazy that he is arguably a top 5 favourite for all 3 remaining stages, Worlds ITT, WRR and then the cobbled classics.

Could in 6 weeks time easily be looking at the best all time season not including a Grand Tour win.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Maybe he will ride CX in the winter but as off season intensity training rather than targeting it as a major goal. Crazy that he is arguably a top 5 favourite for all 3 remaining stages, Worlds ITT, WRR and then the cobbled classics.

Could in 6 weeks time easily be looking at the best all time season not including a Grand Tour win.

I think he said he wanted to compete for the national/world championships at least, so it would have to be more than some intensity training. But he wasn't going to do a "full" CX season like in the past. However, this was a few months ago. I don't know how much plans might have changed with Covid19.

 

[tobydawq]

I think he said he wanted to compete for the national/world championships at least, so it would have to be more than some intensity training. But he wasn't going to do a "full" CX season like in the past. However, this was a few months ago. I don't know how much plans might have changed with Covid19.

Well after such an anonymous showing during the road season, he should be coming around for the cross!

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah I can't believe his throwing his CX career for this.

 

[tobydawq]

Let's hope he doesn't maul himself like he usually does on ITTs in the Tour. Also because I fear what kind of mutant he will show himself to be next year in case of a bad crash today, considering the way he managed to bounce back from last year's injury.

 

[BlueRoads]

Let's hope he doesn't maul himself like he usually does on ITTs in the Tour. Also because I fear what kind of mutant he will show himself to be next year in case of a bad crash today, considering the way he managed to bounce back from last year's injury.

True, if you look at van Vleuten as well...

 

[hayneplane]

Another great ride today. Not just among the best on the flatter part but also beasted the Planche Des Belle Filles

 

[DaLong]

I think I have a man crush, this dude is just phenomenal.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Adrie van der Poel on Wout van Aert's mental strength (discussing whether van Aert would crack on the WCC climbs): "shows character from here to Tokyo".

Also, according to Van Marcke, van Aert already set a Strava KOM for La Planche des Belles Filles "a few years ago". I can only see the best 10 times on Strava, and they are all of 2020 and 2019, so i can't verify whether this is true or if Sep was talking out of his neck.

This was in an episode of Extra Time Koers (Sporza).

 

[jmdirt]

WVA's quote this morning: "Having strong legs remains the most important thing. And I have them."

Can he double up this week?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

WVA's quote this morning: "Having strong legs remains the most important thing. And I have them."

Can he double up this week?

He didn't say "And i have them", though. (Unless i saw a different interview).

 

[Red Rick]

Think it's between Campenaerts, Van Aert and Dumoulin for 3rd normally. I don't see them beating Ganna and Dennis.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Think it's between Campenaerts, Van Aert and Dumoulin for 3rd normally. I don't see them beating Ganna and Dennis.

Likely. But Ganna is (supposedly) not keen on "medium length" TT's. And Dennis didn't seem great last week.

 

[jmdirt]

He didn't say "And i have them", though. (Unless i saw a different interview).

Wout van Aert encouraged by a World Championships time trial of 'pure strength'

Belgian draws confidence from displays in third week of Tour de France

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Wout van Aert encouraged by a World Championships time trial of 'pure strength'

Belgian draws confidence from displays in third week of Tour de France

www.cyclingnews.com

They state a Sporza interview as the source. Unless he gave a second interview (which is possible), saying roughly the same thing, then he didn't actually say it like that. That's all i'm saying.

 

[KZD]

Think it's between Campenaerts, Van Aert and Dumoulin for 3rd normally. I don't see them beating Ganna and Dennis.

I put Küng and Cavagna at the same level as those three.

Dennis and Ganna are the main favourites but I won't be surprised if Ganna ends up outside of the podium.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

From his recent remarks it's clear that the first part of the ITT in the TDF (the first flat 30k) he wasn't going all out. So it's hard to really compare. He said this ITT would likely be "starting fast and trying to keep it up as long as possible".

 

[Eli]

Amazing Talent!

 

[Red Rick]

From his recent remarks it's clear that the first part of the ITT in the TDF (the first flat 30k) he wasn't going all out. So it's hard to really compare. He said this ITT would likely be "starting fast and trying to keep it up as long as possible".

Couldn't even start that fast smh

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Couldn't even start that fast smh

Apparently he had a dip before the intermediate and found his legs again in the second part of the TT.

 

[KZD]

Today he showed that he is one of the strongest time trialists in the world and that he can become world champion in the future.
I expect some fun battles between him, Evenepoel and Ganna.

 

[Blanco]

If it was a tiny bit hillier he would've won it, easily. And he will, if he keeps the focus on ITT.

 

[Jan the Man]

If it was a tiny bit hillier he would've won it, easily. And he will, if he keeps the focus on ITT.

Great performance from the rider of the season- he can really do it all.

Not sure you can definitively said he would’ve won it if it was hillier as it depends how hilly etc. In a much hillier tt you are also playing more to the strengths of Dumolin and Thomas (who had a good day on a pancake flat course) but i understand the sentiment.

Doubt he will focus on the TT - surely his focus for the foreseeable will be adding more monuments to his palmares. After the tour I am more and more convinced he has the ability to win all 5 during his career. Lombardia will be tough but with the right route and circumstances it is possible.

 

[Red Rick]

Great performance from the rider of the season- he can really do it all.

Not sure you can definitively said he would’ve won it if it was hillier as it depends how hilly etc. In a much hillier tt you are also playing more to the strengths of Dumolin and Thomas (who had a good day on a pancake flat course) but i understand the sentiment.

Doubt he will focus on the TT - surely his focus for the foreseeable will be adding more monuments to his palmares. After the tour I am more and more convinced he has the ability to win all 5 during his career. Lombardia will be tough but with the right route and circumstances it is possible.

Needs to repeat miracle year performances though. That is never a given.