Wout Van Aert 🇧🇪 s'est imposé au sprint sur la 3e étape du 🇵🇹 #VAlgarve2024 devant Rui Oliveira et Marius Mayhrofer #ciclismo #cyclisme
No matter what he told everyone else, only Van Aert himself really knew: "I'm very happy about this"
CyclingFriday, 16 February 2024 at 20:40
Prior to the third stage of the Tour of the Algarve, Wout van Aert told everyone that he wouldn't sprint for the win, yet five hours later, his legs proved otherwise. With powerful arms raised in the air, he crossed the finish line in Tavira. "This is good for my confidence."
"It's always important to get a win early on in the season," the Belgian said afterward in the flash interview. "It's good for the confidence, and that's especially true for a sprint because it's never easy. So, I'm very happy with that." His lead-out, Julien Vermote, let him find his own way forward from about seven kilometers from the finish, which the cyclo-cross rider managed well.
"It was a bit chaotic to move up front," said Van Aert, who thus had to drop back a bit due to the lack of a sprint train. "We were on a fairly wide road towards the last, straight line, so I had to gamble a bit and come from behind. However, I was in a good position heading into the last corner. With the slight uphill stretch and the headwind, I think it was good to come up from behind."
Van Aert also well-placed in the general classification of the Tour of Algarve
With this victory, Van Aert also gains some bonus seconds heading into the final weekend of the Tour of the Algarve. "I'm in a good position in the general classification, and it was always my plan to deliver a good time trial, so hopefully, we can keep some more men high in the classification. That way we can make it a beautiful last stage." Sepp Kuss and Jan Tratnik, his Visma | Lease a Bike colleagues, are also doing well in the classification.
"Remco Evenepoel is the top favorite, that seems clear to me. He already has a lead and is the world champion in time trialing, so for me, he's the biggest contender. But I was also surprised by the level some other riders reached on the climb of Alto de Foia, so it will definitely come down to the stage on Sunday," he says, looking ahead to the final stage, with the finish at the top of Alto de Malhao.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024