It is a return to competition in Germany to Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease A Bike). After a tenth place on theADAC Cyclassics Hambourgthe Belgian set off this Wednesday, August 20 on the inaugural prologue of Germany. At the end of the three small kilometers around the site of the Zeche Zollverein coal mine, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage in Essen, “WVA” ended in a good fifth place, only two seconds behind the winner of the day Soren Waerenskjold (UNO-X Mobility). Upon arrival, the 30 -year -old ride expressed himself at length at the microphone of the Flemish media VTM Newsabout this prologue but not only …
VIDEO – Van Aert, 5th of the inaugural prologue!
“I lost a little time because of my cautious approach …”
The winner of the last stage of Tour de France 2025 fell during the recognition of the prologue: “From the second round, I skid in a turn. It started my confidence a little. Normally, it's my thing. But this time, I lost a little time because of my prudent approach. It was a short and intense effort. Ultra fast. I think I had a good time trial. But I never had the feeling that I was going to realize the winning lamp here”he explains.
The native of Herentals returns to the post-tour he lived and also evokes the rest of his program, which ends a little earlier than usual: “If I digested this tour? Yes … (Little laugh, note) There was still a serious decompression afterwards. The season was very long, with the world championships of Cyclo-cross, the classics, the Giro and the Tour. Last Sunday, in Hamburg, I felt that I had lost a little of my physical condition. In this perspective, it is good to be back.
The next two races are really still objectives (Brittany Classic, GP Quebec, Editor's note), even if Plouay has unfortunately become a little more difficult. In any case, I hope to be as efficient as possible. We can't really talk about a peak. But running without a goal is not for me. And … it is simply too early to put an end to my season “declares the team runner Visma | Lease a Bike.
No championships for wout van aert
“It's always difficult to give up a championship”he says. “But in this case, the decision was not so difficult to make. Once again, the turn exhausted me. With a world championship at altitude and on such a difficult course, I should already start a specific preparation. Honestly, mentally, I was no longer able. And travel to Kigali knowing that I will not be 100 %: I prefer to save myself. The world championships? Late.concludes Wout van Aert.
