Van Aert’s Classics Campaign Gains Momentum After Tirreno-Adriatico Showing
Wout Van Aert appears to be hitting form at a crucial time, showing promising signs during Tirreno-Adriatico as he builds towards the major Classics races. After a disrupted start to the season due to a cyclocross fracture and subsequent illness, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider is demonstrating increasing confidence.
Battling Back to Form
Van Aert finished 10th at Strade Bianche on March 7th, his second race of the year. He followed that with a fifth-place finish on stage 4 of Tirreno-Adriatico and a bold attack on Saturday’s stage, ultimately finishing 21st. Despite not securing a win, Van Aert expressed satisfaction with his progress, noting he felt better each day.
“There have been a few stages where I could do my thing,” Van Aert stated, according to Sporza. “I was close to victory. In terms of how it felt, I’m satisfied.”
A Classics Victory Long Awaited
While Van Aert boasts an impressive palmarès, including ten Tour de France stage wins and a pivotal role in Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour successes, his record in the Classics lags behind rival Mathieu van der Poel. Van der Poel has eight monument wins, while Van Aert has only one: the 2020 Milan-San Remo. A victory in races like Flanders or Roubaix remains a significant goal for the Belgian rider.
Tirreno-Adriatico: Preparation for the Classics
Tirreno-Adriatico served as key preparation for the Classics, allowing Van Aert to experience the intensity of racing and respond to attacks. He emphasized the difficulty of replicating this in training. “It is difficult to simulate this in training. Here the pace is set by someone and you have to respond to attacks,” he said.
Visma-Lease a Bike Showing Strength
Visma-Lease a Bike is demonstrating overall strength, with Matteo Jorgenson currently in contention at Tirreno-Adriatico. Jorgenson finished third narrowly missing out on second place due to a time bonus situation. Jorgenson’s strong performance, combined with Van Aert’s improving form and Jonas Vingegaard’s dominance at Paris-Nice, suggests the team is peaking at the right time.
Jorgenson noted the team’s support, stating, “I’m grateful for the team’s support and happy to finish on the podium.”
Looking Ahead to Milan-San Remo
Both Van Aert and Jorgenson are now focused on Milan-San Remo. While Van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar are considered the favorites, Visma-Lease a Bike’s rising fortunes position them as potential contenders.
FAQ
Q: What challenges has Wout van Aert faced this season?
A: He suffered a fracture in the Mol cyclocross and then illness in late February, disrupting his preparation for the Classics.
Q: What is Van Aert’s record in the Classics?
A: He has won Milan-San Remo in 2020, but has fewer monument wins compared to Mathieu van der Poel.
Q: What role is Tirreno-Adriatico playing in Van Aert’s season?
A: It’s a key race for preparing for the Classics, allowing him to regain race fitness and experience the intensity of competition.
Q: How is Visma-Lease a Bike performing as a team?
A: The team is showing strength, with both Wout van Aert and Matteo Jorgenson in good form and Jonas Vingegaard dominating Paris-Nice.
Pro Tip: Focusing on consistent performance and building form gradually is crucial for success in the demanding Classics season.
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