“I’m finally a cyclist again”: The candid Wout van Aert enjoys the ride without pressure

Nothing is mandatory, everything is allowed.

After his ugly fall at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Wout van Aert appeared without much expectation – and out of the spotlight – at the Tour de France.

“I’ve never been in such bad shape at the start of a Tour,” said the Visma-Lease a Bike speedster a few weeks ago. “I wasn’t even supposed to be here.”

But look, fan art already exists. And VTo be able to drive without pressure on his shoulders for the first time in all those years? It clearly pleases our citizen.

“I feel less pressure than I sometimes did in the past,” says Sami Nerink frankly. “For example, you shouldn’t underestimate the pursuit of the green jersey. Now I’m far from being concerned. I haven’t had to cross the podium yet.”

“In that respect, I’m having a quieter ride. By not being active, I’ve learned to appreciate just how fun racing is. And to belong again. Maybe that will calm me down.”

The calmness that Wout van Aert exudes during the interview is in stark contrast to the passion and attacking spirit that the Belgian displays shortly after on the bike.

Could it be George’s kisses on his father’s bike that give him wings? Or is it just Van Art’s character who strikes back after such a bad fall?

“It was of course a tough day this year. A day that has changed a lot,” our compatriot looks over his shoulder again after all these months. “But in this round I finally became a rider again.”

“Just being able to make your mark again and start with a plan ensures that you can forget about that fall. It doesn’t bring up any bad feelings either. But the pain I felt afterwards is still there.”

Despite the bad memories, Van Aert is getting back to his best step by step. “I want to be better,” he says without hesitation. “But I always want to.”

“I might be on my way to my life shape. Who knows, maybe it’s closer than I think. But you can never compare that to my legs from the 2022 Tour.”

However, Van Aert still starts today’s stage with a backpack full of ambition. “I hope I can play a role,” she said in the morning. “The ultimate goal is to win the stage. But a lot of people – like me – believe in their chances.”

Who would a Visma rider want to join him on today’s ride? “Then I immediately think of guys like Lazcano. Very strong riders who dare to race. These are guys I’m grateful to have with me.”

“The list of men I don’t want to be on is much bigger,” the star laughs.

Van Aert was lucky today. Just like his dream partner Oier Lazcano, he fought among the adventurers who would compete for victory. But the duo would ultimately miss the decisive blow in the final.

“Do you remember what I said this morning?” Sami Nerink asked Herental rider after the stage. “I wanted to play a role today.”

“Then I didn’t say anything stupid,” Van Aert laughs. “But it was very clever on Campenaerts’ part. And it is known – and I’m not detracting from Victor – that he is a very special man.”

“But you have to be a little bit special to be able to do special things.”

The tour is almost over, but Van Aert wants to do something special for himself. At the Olympics next.

“On Sunday’s time trial, I’ll already be thinking about the Olympic time trial. Hopefully I can use that day to recover from the Tour a little bit faster.”

Although Van Aert says he will start the time trial at the Games more than ever as the underdog. “It will be very difficult. But that doesn’t make me less motivated. I do my best in the time trials when I come out of a big tour.”

“I’m also less fortunate in the road race than usual. But we’re going with a very strong team, so I’m looking forward to it.”

So no high expectations. And as in the tour: nothing is obligatory, everything is allowed.