Van Aert shows damage to his hand the day after Rubiks and confirms participation in Liege-Bastogon-Liege | Instagram HLN

The Wout van Aert race could not have started any worse, as the Belgian champion ended up behind a crack when the INEOS Grenadiers tore the peloton to shreds at the start. “Of course I was shocked. It didn’t go to extremes, so there must have been a hole somewhere. I was way too far for myself, but I had four teammates up front. As a result, we didn’t have to drive and when the gap kept fluctuating The whole minute, I actually thought it was a good case.”

A few hours later, Van Aert fell all the way to the back of the pack at Bos van Wallers. This was not due to the lower level of form. “I started really well up front at the Bos, but you really have to ride on the back of the gravel there. I landed on the side and hit a stone, which punctured the tire, then broke a wheel. Then I rode Timo (Rosen, editor) bike for a while “. After that, Van Aert switched bikes again and quickly returned to the favorites group.

Van Art threw his cards on the table at Mons-en-Pévèle. Van der Poel had to let go of some lengths, but after a few seconds, he joined with Küng again for the Belgian champion. Before the Pont-Thibaut-Ennevelin, three-star stripe, Van Aert had to deal with a flat rear tire. Fortunately for our compatriot, the Jumbo-Visma support vehicle was nearby and a quick change to the bike was made. “I’ve been on four different bikes today. Fortunately I’m on the podium, because I got paid.”

Despite everything, Van Aert took second place even though he was far from the winner Dylan Van Barley. “As the race continues today, second place is the highest level to be achieved,” said Van Aert. “If all goes well and I manage to join in in time, there may be more in it. Anyway, even when I was on the road with Küng, Van Baarle traveled further and further away. I think he was only the strongest today. Would I have progressed without Corona infection? I’m convinced of that, yeah. Then I would have had a few nice weeks instead of bad weeks. I surprised myself today too. I never thought things would go well.”

Our compatriot’s spring is not over yet, because he has confirmed that he will also take part in Liège-Bastogne-Liège (next Sunday). “You have to look at every flaw as an opportunity. I have also gained freshness from this interruption. I am ready and looking forward to it.”

The day after Paris-Roubaix, Van Aert was back on his bike. The Belgian champion completed a 40-kilometre training run around his hometown. Van Aert shared a photo of his hand on Strava: blisters all over and a greatly swollen palm. Result of a day’s work on gems.

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