-Update below- Wout van Aert saw his spring largely ruined by his nasty crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen, but he can now look to the future again. After all, the next important goal awaits with the Olympic Games.
Tour of Norway
That would of course normally be the Giro d’Italia – which starts on Saturday – but it soon became clear that this would not be feasible. In the meantime, Van Aert is back on the bike and can start working on a new program that should get him in optimal condition for the Olympic Games. A first plan leaked on Friday.
For example, HLN reported that Van Aert would participate in The Tour of Norway at the end of this month – from May 23 to 26 – a stage race containing four races. That is also an option according to Het Nieuwsblad, although they do not state with certainty that this will actually happen.
Quick clarity
What is certain is that Visma-Lease a Bike wants to quickly provide clarity about Van Aert’s new program. That decision would be made soon, after which it will probably also be shared with the outside world. According to HNBL, the Heistse Pijl on June 3 is also a possibility.
Not surprising given that Heylen Vastgoed – of which Van Aert is a shareholder – is the name sponsor of the Heistse Pijl. Subsequently, the Baloise Belgium Tour – given the situation – could also be an excellent opportunity to participate, although this is not yet being discussed.
Update 09/05: Van Aert already knows more
It sounded last week that Wout van Aert’s comeback would be near. After all, the Kempen resident would participate in the Tour of Norway, which runs from May 23 to 26. Especially at Het Laatste Nieuws they were adamant that this was going to happen.
What was not the case at the time is that Van Aert himself had indicated that this was the intended goal. The newspaper does do so a few days later, and it sounds like the rider himself has said that the intention is to participate in The Tour of Norway. Now it remains to be seen whether he will physically achieve that.
