Van Aert sees ‘strange final kilometer’ in the European Championships: "‘Actually, the VAM mountain doesn’t amount to much in a pro race"

Wout van Aert is one of the absolute top favorites for the European Championships in Drenthe this coming Sunday, and can win in any conceivable scenario. However, it's not a given that Van Aert will indeed be on the highest podium. The Belgian from Jumbo-Visma has bagged numerous honorable places this year.

The team leader is highly motivated to close this race with a victory. “I still have a lot of motivation. I think it's great that the EC fits into my postseason," said the Belgian at a press conference attended by IDLProCycling.com. However, Van Aert is also critical of the course. "It's a very strange final kilometer. I don’t know what they were thinking when they designed this road, but it's the first time I've seen something like this," he commented on the short climbs and many turns.

Van Aert expects less from Dutch team

Van Aert expects it to be a very tough race. “Actually, the climbs are very short, much shorter than I had thought. Actually, the VAM mountain doesn’t amount to much for a pro race, but with all the twisting and turning, you can still make a difference. It’s a special finale. You ride two sprints in a very short time. If you wait for the last climb, you are too far behind.”

The Jumbo-Visma rider also doesn't expect many riders to stay together. “Ten, twenty riders at maximum.” Whether a Dutch rider is among them is a big question according to Van Aert. “Olav Kooij should definitely be able to handle something like this, but prior to such a race, you mainly focus on the really strong teams. I am thinking more of France, Denmark and Italy. I expect less from the Netherlands.”

According to Van Aert, De Lie has faster legs

However, the Belgians have another contender for Sunday: Arnaud De Lie. The young Belgian was impressively the fastest in the GP Quebec. “I think he’s quicker, and I’m certainly not too proud to admit that. The question is only how it will relate after a very tough race. I think we have to decide in the race which of the two of us we will play out in the finale. But it's certainly not a course where one can attack and the other can wait. If you don’t jump along here, you will not play a significant role.”

But can Van Aert handle such an intensive race? The Belgian is just recovering from illness and has to exert himself enormously right away. “I think I indeed lost some form. I felt during the EC time trial on Wednesday that I was not as good as in England. I hope that I have made an important step forward towards Sunday in that time trial. I certainly didn't have a great preparation, but as a top athlete, you have to seize the opportunities you get and this is definitely an opportunity for me.”