'It is a bit disappointing, we are honest about that' – Worrying signs for the Tour de France as struggles continue for Wout van Aert

Wout van Aert’s recent performances in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have raised concerns about his form ahead of the Tour de France, with just 24 days remaining until the Grand Départ. The Belgian rider struggled notably during the team time trial, where despite his Visma-Lease a Bike team’s victory, Van Aert was the first to drop off, unable to keep pace early on. This underwhelming display continued a pattern of difficulties that began with a crash in training before the race, hampering his efforts in the opening stages. Van Aert himself expressed disappointment in his performance, acknowledging that he had not contributed as much as he would have liked to the team’s success. His head of performance, Mathieu Heijboer, echoed these sentiments, admitting that the early drop was unexpected and that the team had hoped to rely on Van Aert’s strength over the final climb. Despite these setbacks, both Van Aert and his team remain cautiously optimistic, viewing the race as a platform for him to regain fitness and improve ahead of the Tour de France. The upcoming stages of the race present crucial opportunities for Van Aert to demonstrate a return to form, particularly stages four and five, which suit his strengths better than the mountainous finishes that follow. His team director, Marten Wynants, expressed confidence that Van Aert still has time to recover and reach peak condition, emphasising the advantage of racing here rather than at the Tour de Suisse. However, Van Aert must show more in the coming days to secure his place on the Tour de France roster, which, while almost certain, is not guaranteed without improved performances. The situation highlights the challenges faced by a rider who has been a dominant force in recent years but is now contending with the physical toll of age and recent setbacks. Van Aert’s experience and resilience will be key factors as he seeks to overcome this rough patch. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether he can recapture the form that has seen him win ten Tour de France stages, or if his struggles will continue into cycling’s most prestigious race.