Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[topcat]

Cramping was normal, he'll be fine by Sunday. Obviously not at Pogacar/MVDP level, he's just not that good. But I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the podium too.

And 3rd spot on the podium would be a victory of sorts.
3rd at Ronde > winning Dwars?

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

The fewer races he rides, the more people (and the team and himself) expect him to win at least one of them. He'd maybe have been better off riding something like Tirreno and San Remo with zero pressure at all but some days targeting the win, vs. no races in March (besides first and last days) and coming back with all pressure on no more than 4 races (E3, DDV, RVV and PR).
If there is one thing he should just keep in mind to keep pressure off: he isn't the favourite for RVV or PR. Realistically he could aim for 3rd at RVV (but imho about 0% chance winning) and if stars align he may take PR (more % as it's all flat and that suits him better + mishaps (flat, crashes) can occur with other favourites), but he shouldn't pressure himself that he has to win those as that can only result in disappointment.

 

[awavey]

A bit weird to write a post that's essentially about Wout and attach a picture of yourself...

She's trying to show she recognises what Wout is going through because she's been through it herself. She probably doesn't have any pictures of Wout socially to share and it would be pretty weird to start showing pictures of other riders in kit on her feed, since there will be sponsor conflicts

I thought it was a nice touch to remind everyone we're all human. I guess it landed differently to you 😕

 

[gregrowlerson]

And 3rd spot on the podium would be a victory of sorts.
3rd at Ronde > winning Dwars?

If Pog and MVDP are ahead of him then it's far better imo.

 

[Balthazar]

She's trying to show she recognises what Wout is going through because she's been through it herself. She probably doesn't have any pictures of Wout socially to share and it would be pretty weird to start showing pictures of other riders in kit on her feed, since there will be sponsor conflicts

I thought it was a nice touch to remind everyone we're all human. I guess it landed differently to you 😕

I get what she's trying to communicate and I don't doubt the intentions behind it at are good.
What I don't like is that by posting this publicly Demi inserts herself into a conversation that she really hasn't got all that much to do with. By intertwining your own personal experiences you inevitably also make it about yourself. All she's really achieved by posting this publicly is that the press writes another article about Wout and now her.

Real empathy and support would be to send him a personal message with encouragement, not a post on Instagram. Imagine yourself in Wout's shoes, he doesn't need a reminder of his own humanity. Actually, I am sure he is very well aware. The media also isn't going to go any easier on Wout because of a message like this, they will just milk it for more content.

In conclusion, even though I don't doubt the intentions behind it are good, there really are much better ways to support someone you think is going through a rough time.

 

[Extinction]

I watched the race live (watching a re-run doesn't count). When the yellow with a tinge of pink breakaway formed, I thought it would be funny if Powless won. But the way it happened wasn't funny, it was sad. I'm hoping Visma animate the race on Sunday and send Jorge on the attack (he can help Alaphilippe).

Nobody will believe me, but watching it live I thought Powless is going to win. It's seemed written in the stars or something. Actually, I knew Powless had explosivity and that he's a cagey rider, from his San Sebastian victory, and that Wout didn't seems like his form for that sprint was there.

 

[Oldman]

A lot of riders had cramps according to Edward Theuns. Has to do with coming from altitude, and the change in weather.

WvA cramping had more to do with too few racing efforts prior to this team time trial of a breakaway. If he was the designated sprinter he should have spent some time tailgunning to gauge his sprint before expecting the lead out and made a few attacks. If he couldn't separate from Neilson he'd have his answer and someone else would go.

 

[Peyroteo94]

My grandfather used to told me "the worst blind person is the one who chooses to not see".

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

If Pog and MVDP are ahead of him then it's far better imo.

If his best place is going to be racing for 3rd, with what I saw yesterday, he finishes 10th at best.

 

[Berniece]

My grandfather used to told me "the worst blind person is the one who chooses to not see".

My grandfather used to say: “‘t zen de zotten die werken”, but that’s not really relevant

 

[Sciatic]

My grandfather used to say: “‘t zen de zotten die werken”, but that’s not really relevant

I don't even know what that means and it's funny

 

[pelotonIQ]

Can't feel so good for WvA when his biggest rivals are pitying him instead of fearing him ahead of RVV and PR.

 

[Oldman]

The fewer races he rides, the more people (and the team and himself) expect him to win at least one of them. He'd maybe have been better off riding something like Tirreno and San Remo with zero pressure at all but some days targeting the win, vs. no races in March (besides first and last days) and coming back with all pressure on no more than 4 races (E3, DDV, RVV and PR).
If there is one thing he should just keep in mind to keep pressure off: he isn't the favourite for RVV or PR. Realistically he could aim for 3rd at RVV (but imho about 0% chance winning) and if stars align he may take PR (more % as it's all flat and that suits him better + mishaps (flat, crashes) can occur with other favourites), but he shouldn't pressure himself that he has to win those as that can only result in disappointment.

His comeback needs to include hard racing with incremental expectations. He knows that as well as anyone and he forgot for a day. This embarrassing situation should have been mitigated by the DS/race staff as well and their lack of decisiveness now WvA's mistake. That's not fair.

 

[Bolder]

Can't feel so good for WvA when his biggest rivals are pitying him instead of fearing him ahead of RVV and PR.

His plan is working to perfection, then.