We won’t have to wait long to witness one of the great attractions that the next cycling season has in store, and it is none other than that Wout van Aert’s debut at the Giro d’Italia. This December, at the presentation of the renamed Visma-Lease a Bike, The Belgian’s participation in the Corsa Rosa (May 4-26) will be officially announced along with the rest of his calendar. As usual throughout his career, the big classics of the spring will also be featured.
The question remained what role Van Aert plays in the Italian round, apart from the freedom that the Belgian rider always has in the Dutch team, be it to take partial victories, work for his leaders or secure a good position in the overall classification to secure Although it is true that the route of the next Giro favors him, less demanding in terms of cumulative gradient and with overall 68 km against the clock, the Belgian wanted to clear up any confusion about his intentions to approach the race.
“If I were to take part in the Giro, I would prefer to ride in stages. I don’t always see boundaries, but I also see things realistically. “Participation in the general classification cannot be combined with other things I want.” Van Aert confessed De Rode Lantaarn alluding to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, the events he has marked in red for 2024. In the podcast in question, he also discusses the reasons that led him to this decision: “Maybe I can achieve a good result.” (In general) I sacrifice a lot for it, but I don’t want that. I’d hate to say, “I was fifth in the Giro, but I was bored the rest of the year because I trained 100 times at altitude and still had 2kg to lose.” Even if I had ambitions in the overall classification, it wouldn’t be a victory because my body shape is against me. If the goal isn’t to win, then I don’t think it’s worth the sacrifice.”
Van Aert therefore rules out the fight for the Senza Fine, Although it remains to be seen whether once he’s in the running, especially when the roster of big stars isn’t shining, his greatest competitive instincts will come to the fore. It should be remembered that the Belgian will not take part in the Tour de France next year, So if he wins stages at the Giro, he would only take a partial victory at the Vuelta to complete the streak in the big three. Without a doubt, a good incentive to debut in the Spanish round. Hopefully.
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