On Sunday, Van Aert will start at BEMER Cyclassics in Hamburg. It will be the first race after the Tour de France and the first race in his preparations for the World Cup in Australia. Originally, Van Aert still wanted to start at Clásica San Sebastián, but he was too tired and caught a cold after the Tour de France.
Sports director Mark Reeve talks about Van Aert choosing to skip the Spanish Grand Prix. “It was a very intense tour, both physically and mentally,” Het Laatste Nieuws told. “Spring has been tense for a long time. Preparation for the Tour started early, focus had to be maintained for a long time, and the Tour itself brought a lot of pressure. For Wout and the team.”
With some hesitation, Van Aert succumbed to not driving in the Basque Country. “Wout loves to race. He finds it hard to put his bike aside. But it couldn’t be otherwise. The Tour was a huge success, which helped with his acceptance.”
“And now we look at the end of the season. Then you have to make the right choices. We think it will end well. He started building this period as quickly as possible. Canada and the World Cup are key to that.”
But Hamburg first, where, of course, Van Aert will not miss the chance to win. “His break has benefited Wout. It remains to be seen how he stands now. Sometimes things don’t go well in training and everything works out in the race. Sometimes it’s the other way around. We will do whatever Wout can feel like on Sunday. With the qualities that Possessing it, he can go far.”
