When people mention Wout van Aert, they’re usually talking about the 30-year-old Belgian cyclist riding for Visma | Lease a Bike. You know, the one with 49 pro wins. But when they say Wout Van Aert (see the difference?), they could be referring to a 15-year-old junior cyclist from Antwerp, Belgium. So, what’s the story there?
Sharing the name of your hero is pretty special, and that’s exactly what happened to this boy from Beerse, near Antwerp, Belgium. "At first, I thought it was fun," the 15-year-old Wout Van Aert tells Sporza. "But when I sign up for a race, people always point out that I have the same name as the famous Wout van Aert. It’s a bit annoying, but not too bad. By now, people know there’s another Wout Van Aert racing."
In case you're wondering, no, they’re not related. "We’re not even distant family," says the young rider, who also highlights the difference in spelling. "My last name has a capital 'V', not a small 'v' like the pro rider Wout van Aert."
Read more below the photo!
"I'm not a fan of Van der Poel," says the 15-year-old Van Aert
Most cycling fans know the 'big' Wout van Aert, but what kind of rider is the younger Wout Van Aert? He says he has a decent sprint and likes tough courses that aren’t too steep. "The Flemish Ardennes, for example, aren’t really my thing," he admits.
So, is Wout Van Aert a fan of Wout van Aert? Absolutely, although he’s a bit less excited about his big rival, Mathieu van der Poel. "I’m not a fan of his. I’ve got nothing against him, but I just support Wout van Aert." The 15-year-old’s dream is to meet 'the big Wout van Aert'. "I don’t think he knows there’s another Wout Van Aert racing. It would be amazing to meet my namesake and idol in person."
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