Van Aert admits: "I prefer sharing a room with him, we have the same rhythm"

Nutrition is, of course, an essential part of cycling. You regularly hear what riders eat from the sidelines, with pasta often mentioned. But what does the Belgian eat before a race? "I often eat a rice cake or fruit cake on the bus before the race. Our staff always makes it, and it tastes perfect, haha."

And what does the Visma | Lease a Bike cyclist enjoy most after a race? "I love getting in the car and driving home after a race. I prefer to drive alone, and I like to spend an hour in the car. I often put on music, but I like to drive without music if I've taken part in a classic race. Then I can think about everything and come home in peace."

Of course, we already knew that Van Aert was a family man. Although his wife and two young sons often attend the races, he is also regularly without them. And the Belgian finds that extremely difficult. "Now that I am a father, I miss being at home. I already found it difficult to be away from home for extended periods, but now that I have two young sons, it is my biggest sacrifice."

Fortunately, when Van Aert is not traveling, he often has a favorite roommate and does not travel alone. "It is unusual in cycling, but I prefer to sleep alone in a room. If I do have a roommate, Tiesj is my favorite. We know each other very well and also have the same rhythm. That makes it very pleasant to share a room."

There is a good chance that Van Aert will spend much time with Benoot in the coming weeks. The two friends are on the Canary Island of Tenerife, laying the foundation for the second part of spring. On his Instagram page, he has posted another weekly recap with beautiful images of the famous volcano El Teide, for example.

Of course, a photo with his partner Benoot is a must, as is a picture of his beloved Sarah de Bie, whom he will undoubtedly miss a lot in the coming weeks. But for Van Aert, it's all with a clear goal: to realize his dream of winning the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. And if he succeeds, his wife and young sons will undoubtedly be there, providing fantastic images for us cycling enthusiasts.