Belgian analysts give Van Aert important advice: ‘In view of the Tour de France, it might be better for him to abandon’

“It’s been a wonderful Giro,” begins Michel Wuyts. “The young guys are stepping up against experienced riders like Yates and Carapaz. It’s a joy to watch.” Jan Bakelants is also thoroughly enjoying this year’s Giro. “The race is wide open, and even the stages that seem uneventful on paper end up delivering. It’s been a real treat.”

However, there have also been several major crashes, which Van Aert attributed to the jostling by GC teams. Wuyts didn’t think that comment was particularly smart. “He himself, while riding in support of Vingegaard, has often been caught in the same kind of chaos. He probably shouldn’t have said it, but let’s not make it bigger than it is.”

Van Aert’s performances have especially impressed the Belgian analyst. “There’s a very clear upward trend, which gives me confidence that he can get back to his top level. Whether he can ever reach the level he once had, I’m not sure. But there is hope, and what I’m seeing now is very positive.”

Bakelants also sees that upward trend, but whether Van Aert will continue it into the final week of the Giro is still uncertain, he says. “We’ll have to wait and see what he does this coming week. I wouldn’t be surprised if he heads home. He’s already got his stage win, and if I look at how Wout is climbing now, I’m not sure he can help Simon much. In view of the Tour de France, it might be better for him to abandon.”

The third week will mainly be a battle between the GC contenders. That battle is still wide open, although we probably won’t see Primoz Roglic in it. “He’s 35 now, and every crash takes its toll,” says Michel Wuyts. “I don’t know if he’ll ever win the Tour de France again.”

Who we will see fighting for overall victory are the riders from UAE Team Emirates XRG. “I think Ayuso will ultimately come out on top, and you can see that in the limitations being placed on Del Toro. Even in the pink jersey, he’s playing the role of super-domestique,” Wuyts believes. Jan Bakelants, however, thinks Del Toro might still get his shot. “I think UAE will give Del Toro the opportunity, but they want to keep playing both riders.”

Now something other than the Giro d’Italia: Mathieu van der Poel crashed hard in Nové Město, during his first mountain bike race. “Mathieu’s crash isn’t due to a lack of skill, but to being overly eager. Starting from the fifth row, you naturally want to move up as quickly as possible. I don’t think he’s going to quit, this discipline is just too close to his heart,” says Wuyts.

Bakelants agrees it has nothing to do with ability. “If you look at how tough that course is, any top rider could crash there. But he’s definitely not stopping. When you see his road and cyclocross skills, you realize he brought all of that with him from mountain biking.”