'A proper immunity booster' – Wout van Aert puts in huge Strava gravel ride with Visma-Lease a Bike teammates

Wout van Aert has ramped up his preparation for the upcoming Tour Auvergne-Rhône Alpes with an intense 181-kilometre gravel ride alongside his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. The six-hour session, which the Belgian Paris-Roubaix champion described as a “proper immunity booster,” included Matteo Jorgensen, Eduardo Affini and Bruno Armirail. Training at the ski resort of Pradollano, located at 2,100 metres above sea level, has provided the riders with valuable altitude conditioning ahead of the demanding stage race. The ride was notable not only for its length but also for the significant elevation gain, with Van Aert’s Strava data showing 4,022 metres climbed—comparable to a Queen stage in a Grand Tour and exceeding the toughest climbing day he will face at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône Alpes. Maintaining an average speed of 29kph on rough gravel roads and steep gradients highlights the Belgian’s impressive form. Armirail is confirmed to join Van Aert at the race, while Affini and Jorgensen, both part of Visma-Lease a Bike’s Tour de France squad, are expected to participate as the event serves as a crucial warm-up. The Tour Auvergne-Rhône Alpes features challenging stages, including a mountainous 237-kilometre second day from Saint Martin le Vinoux to Le Puy en Velay, which may have influenced Van Aert’s decision to undertake such a demanding training ride. This preparation underscores the team’s focus on endurance and climbing ability ahead of the race, which has grown in prestige following its rebranding from the Critérium du Dauphiné. In addition to his physical training, Van Aert has been engaging in a niche cycling pastime known as "tiling," where riders collect map tiles based on their routes. His recent 123-kilometre ride earned him another tile, contributing to his impressive tally of over 45,000 map tiles ridden, placing him 85th globally. This quirky hobby highlights a lighter side of the rider, who competes with notable cyclists like Thomas De Gendt and Sepp Kuss in the tiling leaderboard. Van Aert’s dedication to both rigorous physical preparation and unique cycling pursuits illustrates a well-rounded approach to the sport. As the Tour Auvergne-Rhône Alpes approaches, his performances and training efforts will be closely watched, especially given the race’s role as a key indicator of form ahead of the Tour de France.