In the latest instalment in Cyclingnews' 'Belgian Week' series of features, Jan-Pieter de Vlieger, cycling correspondent at Belgian national newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, profiles rising star Wout Van Aert.
For all our Belgian Week content, click here.
With 20 kilometres to go in Strade Bianche, Roger De Vlaeminck sends a text message. He’s watching the race at his home in Kaprijke, in his electric adjustable easychair. He writes: “Van Aert is going to win. Strongest rider in the race.”
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Van Aert didn’t win, he came third. “Too much at the front,” De Vlaeminck observed. “Foolish boy. But mark my words, next year he’ll be the strongest Belgian rider in the Classics.”
It is safe to say that what Van Aert did in Strade Bianche was extraordinary. He must be the first rider since Roger de Vlaeminck to impress Roger De Vlaeminck.
When Van Aert first announced that he would ride the Classics after an exhausting cyclo-cross winter, many armchair experts like myself were convinced that he was biting off more than he could chew. No-one really believed he would be up to par with ‘fresh’ World Tour-riders.
An interesting character
No more choking
Every WorldTour team wants to sign Van Aert
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/wout-van-aert-belgiums-next-big-thing
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