Wout van Aert Reacts to Early Doping Test and Rates Remco Evenepoel’s GP Québec Win Ahead of World Championships

The morning visit disrupted the Visma-Lease a Bike rider’s routine ahead of the final stages of the Spanish grand tour. “I was already woken up at quarter past seven for the doping check. So it was a false start,” Van Aert told Sporza. “I would have preferred to sleep a little longer.”

Reflecting on Evenepoel’s Canadian Victory

Before facing the doping controls, Van Aert spent his Friday evening watching Evenepoel secure a solo win in Canada. Team members watched the race broadcast from the team bus, giving the multiple-stage winner a clear view of his compatriot’s performance.

“We were able to watch the race on the bus,” Van Aert said. “Remco was super strong in the finale. It struck me how hard they raced.”

Evenepoel celebrated his victory in Canada with an expressive finish-line gesture, a style of celebration familiar to Van Aert, who has similarly marked major wins throughout his career.

Looking Ahead to the World Championships

With both riders showing formidable condition—Van Aert securing multiple stage wins and the points jersey in Spain, and Evenepoel dominating in North America—attention naturally turns toward the upcoming UCI Road World Championships. When questioned about his own prospects for the global title race, Van Aert responded with caution.

“I think so,” Van Aert said when asked about the promising outlook for the Belgian squad, before downplaying immediate predictions. “I feel good. I wouldn’t say fresh in the final weekend of the Vuelta. Of course I am tired, but there is still enough time to recover from this.”

Van Aert noted that he had no specific tactical plans in mind for the final stage of the Vuelta. “Sometimes I think about that. But for Sunday I don’t have anything in mind yet,” he concluded.