A first pink jersey and a Giro route tailor-made for Van Aert: "If you ever have the chance to win a Grand Tour"

Cycling
Wednesday, 15 January 2025 at 16:57
wout van aert

In Eurosport’s Kop over Kop podcast, the 2025 Giro route is described as being perfectly suited for Wout van Aert. Hosts Sander Valentijn and Jeroen Vanbelleghem see plenty of opportunities for the Belgian rider, while Jan Hermsen takes it a step further, as he suggests Van Aert could target the general classification.

Vanbelleghem points out that the opening weekend in Albania seems custom-made for Van Aert. "Of course, I’m Belgian and a bit biased, but if you look at this objectively, the first three days are a dream for Wout van Aert. Could it possibly get any better?" says the commentator.

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Van Aert takes the pink jersey immediately and could hold onto it

Hermsen envisions Van Aert grabbing the pink jersey on day one and holding onto it for a very long time. He even draws comparisons with Mathieu van der Poel. "Up until Naples, Van Aert is relatively safe. Whether he’s light enough to get through the stage after that is another question. But those first nine days could look amazing for Belgium if he takes the pink on day one. Who else would you pick? It’s a bit like Van der Poel in Hungary a few years ago."

Hermsen goes on to say that Van Aert would need to build momentum after that. "I can already picture it. It’s all about Van Aert until Saturday, and Sunday’s stage is practically designed for him as well. That also applies to the time trial on the Tuesday after the first rest day."

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wout van aert knie
Van Aert is still treating his knee injury

Van Aert for the general classification: Now or never

Even towards the end of the Giro, there are opportunities for Van Aert, according to Hermsen. "With Pogacar and Vingegaard absent, I wonder if he should consider riding for the GC. It’s tricky, but I think he could do it. Why not?"

Vanbelleghem sees it more as wishful thinking. "Because he’s doing Paris-Roubaix a month earlier. They also have Simon Yates, so maybe he’ll get his chance." Hermsen disagrees. "If you ever have the chance to win a Grand Tour, that’s more important than winning Paris-Roubaix."

The debate ultimately comes down to what Van Aert would prefer to win: the Giro or Roubaix. Hermsen and Vanbelleghem don’t see eye to eye on this. "Let’s be honest. That final week with three stages featuring 5,000 meters of climbing — it's hard to imagine him doing that. Unless he dedicates an entire year to it. But transforming yourself from the best all-rounder in the peloton into someone who can handle 5,000 meters of elevation, especially after racing Roubaix..." Vanbelleghem concludes.

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