There is no start in the time trial
Wout Van Aert (Jumbo – Visma) will start at Paris-Roubaix | Photo: Cor Vos
08/03/2022 | (rsn) – After defeating Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) in the trials of the World Championship in the last two years and having to settle for money, Wout Van Aert will limit himself to road racing in the upcoming championship at the end of September in Wollongong, Australia. This is reported by the Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws.
But despite the absence of the two-time world champion, the Belgian can still hope for the championship – thanks to Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), who won the silver medal in the fight against the clock. In his first year as a professional in 2019, the now 22-year-old Belgian was only beaten by Australian Rohan Dennis (Jumbo – Visma) in Yorkshire.
“On the one hand it’s a shame, because with Wout Van Aert at the beginning of the time trial you have a good chance to win a medal, but on the other hand I understand the decision,” Sven Vanthourenhout, coach of the Belgian national team, told Het Laatste Nieuws. . “It’s emotional. When Wout started the time trial, he put a lot of pressure on his shoulders because only the best results are good enough for a rider like him. A silver medal might be great for someone else, but not for him. Last year Wout was disappointed a few days after the time trial, that silver medal hurt him emotionally,” added Vanthourenhout.
After his sensational performance at the Tour de France, where he not only won three stages but also took the green jersey, Van Aert recently canceled his debut at the Clasica San Sebastian due to fatigue. His return to the field is expected for August 21 at the Hamburg Cyclassics, followed by the Bretagne Classic (August 28) and in Canada GP de Québec (September 9) and GP de Montréal (September 11) as a preparatory race for the world. Championship road race on September 25 in his program.
