Wout van Aert's post-Paris-Roubaix celebration may have been a bit too exuberant, as the Belgian cycling star is now facing the consequences. The 31-year-old's party mode has left him struggling to regain his racing form, with a noticeable decline in performance during the Tour Auvergne-Rhones-Alpes. This is a stark contrast to his emotional win at the Hell of the North, where he finally claimed the cobblestone prize he had been chasing for years.
Van Aert's post-victory celebrations included a holiday in Marbella and a bike-packing adventure, which may have contributed to his prolonged recovery. Team Visma-Lease a Bike's head of performance, Mathieu Heijboer, acknowledged that van Aert needed time to recover and enjoy himself, but also emphasized the importance of getting back into the training and racing rhythm.
The team's optimism shifted when van Aert struggled in the team time trial (TTT) of the Dauphiné, finishing 10km behind his teammates. This performance was a stark reminder of the challenges he faces in regaining his top form. Van Aert himself admitted to a slow engine restart, attributing it to his prolonged absence from racing and a recent training crash.
As the clock ticks down to the Tour de France, van Aert's form is a cause for concern. The team's calm demeanor may be a strategic front, as they recognize the need for patience and understanding. Visma-Lease a Bike's director, Maarten Wynaants, believes van Aert is on the right track, having already picked up the necessary rhythm after a challenging altitude training camp.
Despite the setbacks, van Aert remains determined, vowing not to give up. The question remains whether his current form will be enough to support Jonas Vingegaard in the grand départ TTT, where every second counts. The Tour de France will be a true test of van Aert's resilience and ability to bounce back from his post-victory hangover.
