Wout Van Aert's recent victory in the Tour of Denmark is a testament to his resilience and skill, even on a day when he wasn't feeling his best. This achievement is particularly remarkable given the context of his season, which has been impacted by an elbow injury and a shift in his racing schedule. Van Aert's ability to adapt and perform at a high level despite these challenges is a testament to his greatness as a cyclist.
The 31-year-old Belgian, who has consistently performed well in the Tour de France, had to withdraw from the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes due to his subpar shape. This led to his replacement by Per Strand Hagenes, who was tasked with supporting him in the Vuelta a Espana, which starts in two weeks. Van Aert's return to racing in July, accompanied by Christophe Laporte, was with the goal of winning the Danish race and potentially some stages along the way.
And win, he did. Van Aert confirmed his status as the pre-race favorite, winning three stages and the overall title. Laporte finished 4th overall, and the team, consisting of five youngsters, managed to re-launch Van Aert ahead of his big objective for the season. This success is particularly notable given Van Aert's past doubts about his ability to finish races, especially as a sprinter.
The Italian neo-pro, Pietro Mattio, who serviced the two stars, was impressed by Van Aert's performance. He noted that the team's primary goal was to win the general classification, and Van Aert's victories in the first two sprint stages gave the team new confidence. The third stage, however, was the most crucial, and Van Aert's dominance in that stage led to a more defensive approach in the final sprint stages.
Mattio highlighted the psychological growth of Van Aert, who was able to win a bunch sprint despite his doubts about his condition. He also shared an anecdote that underscores Van Aert's exceptional ability: during the third stage, Van Aert, despite not feeling well, was pulling for Laporte, and he still managed to win the stage, outpacing Kubis and Laporte himself. This shows that even on a 'bad day', Van Aert is far stronger than most mortals.
Van Aert's performance in the Tour of Denmark is a reminder of his greatness and his ability to perform at a high level even when he's not feeling his best. It also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in cycling, and the role that a strong team can play in supporting a cyclist's success.
