Wout van Aert finally gave up the BK road cycling last Sunday. Another umbrella for the Kempenaar, although the news about his illness was also received with a touch of suspicion. But apparently (or is?) There was something wrong.
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None of Aert or Van der Poel: Bakelants provides shock
Yet another mental blow
Since Saturday, for example, Van Aert has not recorded any activity on Strava, possibly a sign on the wall. And then there are also the findings of people around him. This also includes Jan Bakelants, with whom he has a very good bond and often takes it with him on training. He makes it clear that the disease was absolutely not an excuse to get away from it.
“The reality is that there are again a number of question marks at Visma-Lease a Bike. Unfortunately, Wout van Aert also knows his part of the bad luck. That misery with his belly was not played,” Bakelants assures at HLN. “He had returned from a height especially for the BK, because he saw a real chance of a new title.”
In this way Bakelants refers to any insinuation towards the trash, which then also entails the necessary unrest for the Tour for Van Aert. The ex-rider is therefore clear: “In that sense, that flat rate is a mental blow again, the umpteenth for Wout.”
The same story sounds everywhere
So that will wait until next Thursday at the team performance, then Van Aert will undoubtedly explain everything. Earlier this weekend, bosom friend Daan Soete had already commented on the Kempenaar’s disease. “Wout really liked the BK. He felt good and was ambitious. So for us the news came unexpectedly.”
“Apparently his entire family had it, so he may have sustained it that way. He hopes it will be over soon. It didn’t take long with his family, so it will be fine towards the Tour.”
Soete also made it clear that it was absolutely not a fabrication. “No, certainly not. This was not an excuse. The trail in Binche was him, and a final course for the Tour is always useful. Wout really wanted to go for the title here.”
Finally, teammakker Victor Campenaerts also made it clear that there was something wrong with Van Aert on Sunday morning. “After breakfast, Wout said that he really did not feel good. He had not been digested and clearly did not feel in order. That was very unfortunate news.”
