Coach Pauwels understands, but regrets van Aert's decision: "He would’ve been a contender in Rwanda"

“Wout informed me shortly after the Tour,” Pauwels told Sporza. “We spoke a few times during the Tour, also with his coach Mathieu Heijboer, and even before the Tour, it already looked like it would be a no,” the Belgian said honestly.

“It's unfortunate, of course,” the national coach said honestly, as he saw opportunities for his compatriot. “Someone like Wout could undoubtedly have been a contender at the World Championships in Rwanda, if the conditions had been favorable. And even if he hadn't been able to win himself, Wout would have been a very important asset to the team.

In addition to Rwanda, Van Aert will also not be traveling to France, where the European Championships will be held in October. According to Pauwels, this is understandable, as the course is even more challenging than Rwanda. “It's a real climbing course. There's a climb of about 20 minutes three times and another climb similar to La Redoute six times. I think Wout's focus was more on the World Championships, although the European Championships were also a possibility.”

Although the national coach is disappointed, he also understands the decision. "I respect his decision. I discussed it with him several times. In the winter, his initial feeling was that the World Championships would be too tough for him. And the European Championships are, by definition, even tougher. Nevertheless, at the time, I was able to convince him to consider both championships. The agreement was that we would only decide on the Tour."

The preparation for the Tour was already tough for Van Aert, as Pauwels also recognized. "With the spring and the Giro... It was already a very tough season, and he wants to be back there again next year. Wout really needs a good build-up now. From the outside, we see a van Aert who finished the Tour fantastically and who appears to be on the up in terms of fitness. But it doesn't work like that."

"You can't just put the Wout who won on the Champs-Élysées in Rwanda. After the Tour, some decompression is needed," explains the national coach. "Moreover, the World Championships in Rwanda require specific preparation in terms of altitude and heat. These are factors that really do play an important role. As a rider, you have to be able to recharge your batteries for that, so it's understandable that it would be a bit too much for him."