I have a feeling that might have occurred. He could have also added: "you will no way outsprint me." And, more importantly: "I have a teammate with GC hopes behind. We'll be one and two...you are two so I am no longer pulling. I'll tell you "Sorry" now so you won't have to stew on it."
Glad Wout felt the same and found a way to win a stage. He shouldn't quit as long as he feels he's getting stronger.
- Jul 10, 2014
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View: https://x.com/giroditalia/status/1924751788625789250?t=_me3hVtcIRjbcFmCNF1Vfw&s=19
Now we really know what motivates Wout.
Now we really know what motivates Wout.
That was a great sprint, but Mads is ripping the cranks off of his bike right now!
- May 3, 2010
- 4,487
- 4,563
- 21,180
What a Giro for Van Aert. He wins a stage, launches Kooij to a stage win, and leads S. Yates to the overall victory!
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,931
- 44,320
- 28,180
The great irony of Van Aert is his greatest asset is helping other riders win Grand Tours rather than winning top tier races for himself.
- Feb 20, 2012
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He truly is.
I've really felt conflicted on him at times when he was hyped as the best in the world because of this. Like it annoyed me when people argued he was the best rider in the world in '21 when he didnt'win any monument or WC, yet at the same time I'm hoping he takes it down.
Maybe it's me being the cycling equivalent of being a grammar nazi.
I fully agree with that. He is and remains a really good cyclist. He is no longer as strong in the finals as we used to know. But he can still achieve victories and top placings. And as you say, he's an outstanding helper. He always makes it into the group when he wants to. He can then help the captains. Especially as he always gives everything and then almost stops. Many other riders also help, but they keep more energy for themselves. He keeps going until the end. It's very valuable for a team to have this rider.
- Mar 20, 2022
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His career has been this. Not good enough to win important races but a hell of rider in supporting his leaders. Time to say he doesn't have the right mentality, he is not a killer.
- Feb 20, 2012
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- 44,320
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That is just ***.
What an amazing work he did today for Simon Yates and for Visma.
He should be very proud of his Giro performance.
He should be very proud of his Giro performance.
Considering the UAE strength through the race, although sometimes soft pacing, and then Visma gets van Aert over Finestre, to wait for the leader, soloing over.
- Oct 30, 2023
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- May 29, 2011
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- Jul 16, 2015
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UAE fans cheering when Van Aert doesn't win the monuments now raging because he plays a decisive role in beating their guy in a GT. This sport can be cathartic at times.
- Sep 2, 2011
- 17,534
- 13,757
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Peak performances in both stages containing sterrato.
The Giro wasn't an easy ride for him (and for his fans) but we had glimpses of vintage Van Aert. Bring on the Tour!
The Giro wasn't an easy ride for him (and for his fans) but we had glimpses of vintage Van Aert. Bring on the Tour!
- Feb 20, 2012
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- 44,320
- 28,180
I don't think they were his peak performances per se. Especially not Siena.
When he won on the Ventoux, he lost only 3'22 on an hour long climb to the fastest rider. On Finestre he gave up 9 minutes.
And yes, it's likely he took it easy. In fact judging by how hard he did pull, I assume he got over Finestre pretty fresh. It just goes to show how criminally stupid it was to give that break 10 minutes.
- Sep 2, 2011
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I meant peak relative to what we've seen during this Giro. He was at his best when was most needed.
- Mar 20, 2022
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You couldn't be more wrong but you have to say I'm a UAE fan (Most of the time I am because they have a lot of portuguese riders and Pogacar. But I'm not a fan of UAE) because it does fit your narrative. I was supporting Carapaz and specially Yates during this Giro.
He is a killer, but of a different kind than Van der Poel or Pogacar. Those guys would never turn themselves inside out for someone else, Van Aert would. I'd even go so far as to say that he's almost able to suffer more in support of Vingegaard or Yates than he is when riding for himself. He just loves to do this. Belgian fans don't like it when he sacrifices himself for the team, but he does.
I was surprised by his shape yesterday.
Van Aert has struggled in several breaks and mountain in this Giro, but he was very strong yesterday.
The praise is focused on tactics, but if you don't have the legs, you can't execute the tactics.
Steinhauser got into the break the day before, and by the time the peloton caught him, he was exhausted. Not everyone climbs Finestre and finishes fresh enough to pull Simon like he did.
We're talking about a climb like Finestre.
Van Aert has struggled in several breaks and mountain in this Giro, but he was very strong yesterday.
The praise is focused on tactics, but if you don't have the legs, you can't execute the tactics.
Steinhauser got into the break the day before, and by the time the peloton caught him, he was exhausted. Not everyone climbs Finestre and finishes fresh enough to pull Simon like he did.
We're talking about a climb like Finestre.
- Sep 22, 2020
- 1,035
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Memorable ride again, must be a great feeling to leave a couple of rival climbers behind and then hook up with an engine like that on the descent and valley.
“It’s incredible, we didn’t really think about this this morning,” Van Aert said. “It’s such a brave effort of Simon to go all in from so far and I love it when people are not racing for a place of honour. Chapeau to him.”
“It’s incredible, we didn’t really think about this this morning,” Van Aert said. “It’s such a brave effort of Simon to go all in from so far and I love it when people are not racing for a place of honour. Chapeau to him.”
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,931
- 44,320
- 28,180
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