Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[Andre]

Wout don't waste your energy om Vindergaard...he can get his podium spot on his own. Go for stage wins and polka dot.

 

[Finn84]

I have sometimes thought how would 5-stage race including all monuments go. I have to say that Van Aert would be favourite if there was one.

 

[jmdirt]

CONGRATS W!

 

[Bonimenier]

It will be very disappointing if he doesn't manage to win a mountain stage, a TT and a sprint stage this Tour.

 

[tobydawq]

So, five stage wins in the Tour for him. One in a pure bunch sprint, two in sprints after cross-wind racing, one in a break on a stage with double Mont Ventoux and one in a 30 km ITT

 

[Red Rick]

So, five stage wins in the Tour for him. One in a pure bunch sprint, two in sprints after cross-wind racing, one in a break on a stage with double Mont Ventoux and one in a 30 km ITT

Overrated 1 2 3 trick pony

 

[tobydawq]

Overrated 1 2 3 trick pony

I mean, he can only win when he is a Belgian.

 

[gunara]

Time for polka dot and green in one go, and unintentional high GC placing

 

[Rackham]

Time to singlehandedly cause an unlikely echelon on the Champs Elysees tomorrow in which Pogacar loses 6 minutes (& the Tour) & then beat Cavendish in the sprint.

You read it here first, i.e. there's nothing Van Aert cannot do.

 

[limak_]

Time to singlehandedly cause an unlikely echelon on the Champs Elysees tomorrow in which Pogacar loses 6 minutes

In all seriousness, isn't there an unwritten rule that says you can't try to do such things on the last champagne-stage of the Tour?
I mean, I was always wondering if it's possible to lose/win TdF in the Champs-Élysées stage.

 

[Rackham]

In all seriousness, isn't there an unwritten rule that says you can't try to do such things on the last champagne-stage of the Tour?
I mean, I was always wondering if it's possible to lose/win TdF in the Champs-Élysées stage.

I think Cadel Evans once sprinted to get some bonus seconds & also attempted to win the Tour on the last day (I can't remember which Tour it was). So that unwritten rule can be broken.

I don't expect it tomorrow (obviously considering the gap), but looking at how the peloton behaves these days (especially in sprints), I'd bet if the yellow jersey fight was closer we'd see some craziness. So yeah, for example if there was a mechanical problem for the yellow jersey & his closest rival was within a minute, watch out.

 

[limak_]

I think Cadel Evans once sprinted to get some bonus seconds & also attempted to win the Tour on the last day (I can't remember which Tour it was). So that unwritten rule can be broken.

I don't expect it tomorrow (obviously considering the gap), but looking at how the peloton behaves these days (especially in sprints), I'd bet if the yellow jersey fight was closer we'd see some craziness. So yeah, for example if there was a mechanical problem for the yellow jersey & his closest rival was within a minute, watch out.

I've just checked and it seems you are right. In '08 Tour, Evans gained 7s to Sastre in the last stage and eventually finished 58s behind him.

Anyway, I can't see it happen in case of a mechanical problem.. I still have some faith in the modern peleton, that in such a situation, they'd wait for the yellow. Even with the possible crosswinds, I'm not 100% conviced anyone would try sth like that, after already having a champagne (although the Evans' case says different). I mean, I've never seen it before and this last stage is always really bizarre for me in terms of possible changes in GC.

 

[Red Rick]

Contador reverse attacked Keldermans 5th place in the 2017 Vuelta.

 

[Big Doopie]

In all seriousness, isn't there an unwritten rule that says you can't try to do such things on the last champagne-stage of the Tour?
I mean, I was always wondering if it's possible to lose/win TdF in the Champs-Élysées stage.

in 1979, Hinault and Zoetemelk (1 and 2 in GC) found themselves ahead after a few hills...simply pursued their attack and finished alone/together on the Champs.

Guess who won the sprint...? ;-)

Rhetorical, rhetorical...

 

[Big Doopie]

WvA -- what a champ tho!

Only rider to be "growing" in strength. Perfect timing for the Olympics...?

 

[Red Rick]

The only thing that matters is

He won more stages than Van der Poel.

 

[JosefK]

Great tour for Wout after the spring setback from his appendix infection and surgery. Two stage wins, including the Ventoux stage, while still working (at times) to help the team's GC placing.

 

[johnymax]

He's ready for the OGs. Double medal is possible, although I don't see him as the no.1 favourite for gold in the RR.

 

[tobydawq]

Wow. Just wow. Crazy, crazy, crazy stuff.

 

[Big Doopie]

how fitting that the belgian national champ stops merckx's record from being beaten!

what an amazing time in cycling that we may enjoy these incredible riders...

 

[SafeBet]

Out of this world.
Next stop: Tokyo

 

[Wvv]

It will be very disappointing if he doesn't manage to win a mountain stage, a TT and a sprint stage this Tour.

What a relief this is then!

 

[RedheadDane]

Out of this world.
Next stop: Tokyo

Then with some literal "out of this world" stuff.

 

[Valv.Piti]

how fitting that the belgian national champ stops merckx's record from being beaten!

what an amazing time in cycling that we may enjoy these incredible riders...

Wout and Jasper both did it out of respect! Lol

Valverde vs Wout in Tokyo, cannot wait. Also, is there any route where Wout wouldn't be the favourite (or at least on of the favourites) in a long and hard one day race in this shape? Dont think so.

 

[Eeslliw]

Out of this world.
Next stop: Tokyo

Tokyo double gold incoming.