MARTINSICURO, Italy – Wout van Aert continues his search for a first victory of the 2026 season, coming close but ultimately falling short on Thursday’s stage 4 of Tirreno-Adriatico. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider acknowledged a tactical misstep in the final kilometer, while a fellow competitor, Dries De Bondt, publicly questioned the team’s strategy, suggesting a missed opportunity to secure the stage win.
The hilly 213km stage to Martinsicuro saw Van Aert and teammate Matteo Jorgenson working effectively together in the closing stages. Visma-Lease a Bike controlled much of the race, utilizing Timo Kielich to set the pace before the final climb, thinning the lead group to just 14 riders. However, Van Aert’s reaction to a late attack from Jan Christen proved costly, expending crucial energy before Filippo Ganna and, Mathieu van der Poel surged past to claim the stage victory. Van Aert finished fifth.
“A missed opportunity,” Van Aert told Belgian media after the stage, a sentiment that echoes a frustrating start to the season following illness at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and a puncture at the Samyn Classic. He acknowledged the team’s strong performance praising Kielich’s contribution and Jorgenson’s control of the race. “We rode a fantastic race,” Van Aert said. “Timo [Kielich] played a crucial role by dropping us off at the front just before the climb. When Matteo then starts thinning out the group, you know there aren’t many left.”
The final kilometer proved to be the decisive point. Van Aert admitted to reacting too quickly to Christen’s move, leaving him vulnerable when Ganna and van der Poel launched their winning attacks. “I perhaps should have attacked a bit earlier,” Van Aert reflected, hinting at a slight regret over his timing. This isn’t the first time this season Van Aert has lamented a near miss, adding to the pressure as he builds form ahead of the Classics season.
Adding fuel to the post-race analysis, Dries De Bondt (Intermarché-Wanty) offered a critical assessment of Visma-Lease a Bike’s tactics. Speaking to HLN, De Bondt suggested the team should have committed to a Kielich victory bid earlier in the stage. “It’s a shame about Visma’s poker playing,” De Bondt stated. “Timo Kielich wasn’t allowed to ride in our breakaway group, which disrupted the cooperation and cost us half a minute. They could have won with Kielich, and they let that chance slip away.”
De Bondt’s criticism centers on the decision to utilize Kielich primarily as a support rider, setting the pace for a later Van Aert attack. The argument suggests that Kielich, having been in the breakaway, possessed the stamina and tactical advantage to potentially contest the stage win himself. However, De Bondt himself faced difficulties later in the race, fading from the lead group, which raises questions about his own ability to capitalize on the situation.
Visma-Lease a Bike, however, defended its strategy. Team leader Maarten Wynants explained that Kielich was still recovering from a crash in Strade Bianche and his condition was uncertain. “Timo is heavily fallen in Strade Bianche and has been riding like a dead bird for the past few days,” Wynants said. “We weren’t sure how good Timo was and we wanted to head for the win with Wout. The fact that we sent Timo up the road early was because we didn’t want to have to control the race all day.”
This explanation highlights the delicate balance between team tactics and rider fitness. Visma-Lease a Bike prioritized Van Aert as their primary contender, utilizing Kielich to soften up the race and position Van Aert for a late attack. While the strategy didn’t yield a victory, it demonstrated the team’s commitment to supporting their star rider.
Van Aert’s performance at Tirreno-Adriatico, despite the lack of a win, is still being viewed as a positive sign as he prepares for Milan-San Remo, which takes place next week. He showed glimpses of his former strength, launching a significant attack on Saturday’s stage, though he was ultimately caught before the summit and finished 21st. “There have been a few stages where I could do my thing,” Van Aert said, according to Sporza. “I was close to victory. In terms of how it felt, I’m satisfied. I felt a lot better than yesterday.”
The Belgian rider is clearly building form after a disrupted start to the season. While the setbacks of illness and injury have hampered his preparation, he appears to be regaining his competitive edge. The Classics season is notoriously demanding, and Van Aert will need to continue to improve his condition if he hopes to challenge for victory in races like Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics.
The Tirreno-Adriatico race continues through Sunday, with the final stage offering another opportunity for Van Aert and Visma-Lease a Bike to contend for a stage win. The team will likely assess Van Aert’s condition and adjust their tactics accordingly, aiming to capitalize on any opportunities that arise. The focus, however, remains on peaking for Milan-San Remo, where Van Aert will undoubtedly be a key contender.
Following Tirreno-Adriatico, all eyes will turn to Milan-San Remo on March 21st, where Van Aert will face a formidable field of rivals, including the victorious Mathieu van der Poel. The race, known as “La Primavera,” is a classic one-day event that often favors strong sprinters and tactical riders. Van Aert’s ability to navigate the challenging course and position himself for a sprint finish will be crucial to his chances of success.
Fans can follow live updates and results from Milan-San Remo on the official race website and through major sports news outlets. The race is expected to begin around 10:00 AM CET (4:00 AM EDT) on March 21st.
What are your thoughts on Visma-Lease a Bike’s strategy at Tirreno-Adriatico? Share your opinions in the comments below.
