“It’s great that this is possible at Jumbo-Visma, and any loss for Lotte van Aert will follow in Paris on Sunday” | Tour de France

Radio commentator Christoph Vandegoor sums up Wout van Aert’s decision: “There is more to your business than yours.”

It clearly wasn’t just a bolt from the blue, but commentator Serge Pauwels is glad this isn’t such a taboo in contemporary cycling.

“It is very good that within the performance culture of the Jumbo-Visma team, where they are at the front and Van Aert is an important link, there is room for the important things in life. It is good that it is possible and allowed.”

How should we analyze Van Aert’s tour now? Vandegoor: “He summed it up perfectly himself in his team video: the feeling was good, but also double.”

“We always assume he’s going to win at least one stage,” Pauwels adds. “Circumstances have now ensured that he is not always given the same amount of space.”

“He may miss some chances at the end, but the biggest loss is that moment in Paris on Sunday when he can celebrate the overall victory. That’s the only downside.”

Serge Pauwels is the assistant national coach Sven Vanthornhout. Two weeks after Paris, on Sunday, August 6, the World Championships will be held in Glasgow. A time trial will follow on Friday, August 11th. What are the consequences of this task?

Bowles doesn’t mind: “It doesn’t make much difference. He’ll now have 2.5 weeks instead of two.”

But how will Van Aert train in the coming weeks? “The best way to taper off is to reduce the volume while maintaining the density.”

“He will initially take a few days off and then do some solid training sessions. This is also possible in the post-tour criteria.”

The Belgian Cycling Club has no agreements with the World Cup participants: “The riders are professional enough to make these choices.”

“You can also do these tapers in a criterium. Greg Van Avermaet also rode a lot in 2016 and became an Olympic champion in Rio two weeks later.”