Teams & Riders Official Wout Van Aert thread

[Netserk]

I've really tried to not join the "he ain't gonna win a cobbled monument" chorus, but it's gonna be pretty tough after today.

His lack of placement into that key section today reveals a mental block that will continue to prevent him from fighting for that top spot in these biggest races. It's sad.

He was placed well going in to Arenberg, so I think it was on purpose.

The problem was that he lost places immediately once in forest.

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

He lost it completely on Arenberg. He can blame the energy it took to come back after his crash, and the energy it took to go back to the front (he was totally out of position on each secteur before Haveluy).
But that’s still not a good excuse to get dropped on Wallers, if you’re a podium contender. It’s super strange that he seems to last very well (not fading) but doesn’t have any kind of “snap” in his legs / a “over my dead body before you drop me” mentality at that moment. He really freewheeled on Arenberg while in the wheel of Pogi, until he got out of the camera shot.

 

[jmdirt]

Solid ride again today. Hopefully he keeps getting better and ends the spring strong!

 

[Peyroteo94]

I was told he would destroy Pogacar today. He is clearly past his prime.

 

[Sciatic]

I was told he would destroy Pogacar today. He is clearly past his prime.

Seriously? Show us who said that? Don’t mistake people rooting for Wout to think they think he’s better than the top 2.

 

[Netserk]

Seriously? Show us who said that? Don’t mistake people rooting for Wout to think they think he’s better than the top 2.

Some people like to battle windmills and straw men.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Seriously? Show us who said that? Don’t mistake people rooting for Wout to think they think he’s better than the top 2.

Good thing he’s not actually going for Roubaix in this shape, he would be destroyed by WVA and MVDP

As you can see

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Seriously? Show us who said that? Don’t mistake people rooting for Wout to think they think he’s better than the top 2.

Loads of people picked Van Aert to win in the P-R thread.

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

Loads of people picked Van Aert to win in the P-R thread.

I think a lot of those votes were out of sympathy. But as we all know, there are no gifts in cycling, especially when some cannibals are in the race.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

WVA is really weird this spring. It seems, also looking at his sprints, he lost all his explosivity. But he is instead some sort of super diesel. Well he was already, but now it's even more prominent. He'd need a 450km Flanders/Roubaix at this point if he wants to win

 

[red_flanders]

Yeah I mean clearly they got the prep wrong this year. Not much to be done but learn and try again. Even at top form, he's not on the level of MVDP and Pogi.

 

[jono]

WVA is really weird this spring. It seems, also looking at his sprints, he lost all his explosivity. But he is instead some sort of super diesel. Well he was already, but now it's even more prominent. He'd need a 450km Flanders/Roubaix at this point if he wants to win

He should ride Unbound.

 

[Berniece]

As you can see

Oh is Pogacar in the same shape now as he was at UAE Tour? Or what is your point?

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

As you can see

...uh...that post was on February 10th...and in context of the time.

 

[Didinho]

Yeah I mean clearly they got the prep wrong this year. Not much to be done but learn and try again. Even at top form, he's not on the level of MVDP and Pogi.

Don't forget his crashes.

But I think they tried something new to close to gap for his first cobbled monument. But it looks strange indeed, not able to follow the first attacks but become better than most of the top 10 in the last hour. He came close a couple times the last years, so I wouldn't change anything. His explosiveness was one of his strenghts, now it looks like he lost that. Another year passed, but he still got some years to try.

 

[Peyroteo94]

...uh...that post was on February 10th...and in context of the time.

It doesn't change anything. What Pogacar did between February and now to make this different? Or even WVA?

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

He should ride Unbound.

That would be cool, but I think he will be at the Giro. (I know you were being sarcastic, but it would be cool to see him there, since I will be at the first and second aid stations during the time that the leaders are coming through)

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

It doesn't change anything. What Pogacar did between February and now to make this different? Or even WVA?

Oh, logical fallacies change everything, which is what they are meant to do.

 

[red_flanders]

Don't forget his crashes.

But I think they tried something new to close to gap for his first cobbled monument.

They don't help, but either way, I'm sure they got the prep wrong this year. I'm sure they'd be the first to admit it.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Not really, honestly. Taking into account the end of last year, it becomes pretty hilarious—unless, of course, we either: 1) don’t fully grasp the gravity of the numbers, or 2) choose to downplay them for some reason.

As for Wout, I’ve said it before—I’ve never been his biggest fan, but I’ve always respected his immense talent. That said, it wasn’t a great look, and if we consider the trajectory MvdP are on last years (lets leave pog out of it), it paints a pretty dire picture. I just hope he gets the chance to go out with a proper bang—that’s all cause it seems dire atm.

I think that with a healthy year (I think he is still not in prime shape after last year, and that his body is still healing), he can come back next year with better form. If that isn't enough, I don't think there will ever be a day that it will be enough, and if I'm being completely honest, I don't think in his best form ever, he was or would be able to RVV against Pog or Mathieu, nor P-R against Mathieu. I don't think he could eek out an MSR again, either. Amstel Gold is out of the question this year...I hate to join the "Wout is finished" brigade, but. the eyes see what the eyes see, and a lof of people see the same thing. I think he will not ever win another major classic or Monument. Giro, Tour, and Vuelta stages, yes. WC, not unless Pog, Remco, and Mathieu don't show up. His competition is just too good.

 

[Red Rick]

He should ride Unbound.

I think hurting the ego's of all the gravel 'pro's' that badly may be considered a crime against humanity

 

[Panda Claws]

WvA can still win big, but it's doubtful he will win big in a big dog way.

 

[ChasingPotatoes]

He should ride Unbound.

To get second behind mvdp? 🙃

 

[Netserk]

Don't forget his crashes.

But I think they tried something new to close to gap for his first cobbled monument. But it looks strange indeed, not able to follow the first attacks but become better than most of the top 10 in the last hour. He came close a couple times the last years, so I wouldn't change anything. His explosiveness was one of his strenghts, now it looks like he lost that. Another year passed, but he still got some years to try.

In the races before Dwars, he looked so much better last year than this year with the same approach. So I think the knee and his winter played a role, and if anything that he'd have been able to fight for the top step last year if uninjured.

EDIT: And his head too, of course. With last year's confidence, he'd position himself better and make better decisions.

 

[Sciatic]

Loads of people picked Van Aert to win in the P-R thread.

Ha! That is not representative—some folks choose who they want to win, if we were putting down money the results would be very different. If I vote (not always) I just pick a wacky outsider or “Vino”