Wout van Aert’s Coach Defends Late Travel and Jet Lag Concerns

A Late Transatlantic Crossing Sparks Jet Lag Scrutiny

“It gave Wout the space to train well last weekend,” Heijboer told Het Laatste Nieuws. “The alternative was to leave earlier and first adapt to the jet lag before doing another good training block, but we chose to finish that training block in Belgium and combine the subsequent rest period with the adjustment to the Canadian time zone.”

Mirroring the 2022 Montréal Blueprint

The build-up strategy mirrors a successful precedent from the Belgian rider’s past. When Van Aert finished second in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in 2022, he also delayed his transatlantic crossing until Tuesday before producing a strong performance on Sunday.

“He also traveled to Canada on Tuesday back then,” Heijboer noted. “He rode a very good race on Sunday then too.”

A Strict Household Sleep-Shifting Protocol

The adjustment required active participation from Van Aert’s household, altering daily routines for his young children, Georges and Jerome.

“Three days ago, Wout started going to sleep a few hours later and waking up later than normal the next day,” Heijboer explained, adding that the shift meant Van Aert missed school drop-offs on Monday. “That way, Wout will get used to the rhythm of Canada faster and his body will digest that jet lag well.”

The North American World Championships Finale

The road race on Sunday closes out the world championships in North America, testing whether the calculated disruption to his family schedule and late arrival yields the desired top-tier form on the Canadian circuit.