Wout van Aert spoke recently about his troubled 2024 season, and how despite the challenges, he’s ready for 2025. His season was derailed early on after a crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Following the brutal spill, he had to curtail his Classics campaign as well as the Giro d’Italia. Ultimately, he, alongside also beleaguered teammate Jonas Vingegaard, would race in the Tour de France.
Van Aert would ride himself into form in the Tour and then began an incredible Vuelta, where he led both the points and KOM jerseys. However, he would crash out of Stage 16 in a breakaway.
“That crash wasn’t serious at first,” he said to Sporza. “The rider in front misjudged a turn, and I couldn’t avoid his bike. Unfortunately, I hit a rock wall, which did real damage. If there had been grass, I’d have ridden on.” He ended up with a nasty gash to his knee, which took him some time before he could ride his bike again.
As far as his earlier crash in Belgium, organizers have since decided to remove the Kanarieberg climb from the course.
“That is a good choice. It’s a crucial spot where even a small mistake can result in a major crash. Discussions about rider safety, including speed limits on descents, are crucial. Limiting gear ratios would make the sport much safer, in my opinion. Others disagree, but I’m convinced it would reduce risks in descents,” he said.
Despite the tough season, Van Aert still medalled at the Olympics, taking third in the TT in Paris.
Van Aert reflected on the significance of his Olympic medal, describing it as a meaningful achievement despite the challenges of the year. While it may have seemed like a smaller goal in the grand scheme, he acknowledged the accomplishment as a special milestone, noting that he now holds Olympic medals in both the road race and the time trial.
He did say that after his Vuelta crash, he got fairly depressed.
“I didn’t feel like starting rehab again. I had no energy to begin from zero. It was tough. How did I start anyway? I didn’t have much choice,” he said.
However, he is looking forward to 2025 with some strong goals.
“My dream is a win at the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. Those are at the top of my list. From last year, I also learned I can succeed when racing a Grand Tour with freedom,” he said.
As for now, Van Aert is currently racing ‘cross. Next up for the former world champion is the UCI CX World Cup in Dendermonde.
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