Van Aert already on the cobbles in preparation for the coming classics - only after appearing on TV show

Wout van Aert tested his general knowledge this week on the popular Belgian TV show De Slimste Mens. The Visma | Lease a Bike star failed to advance to the next round in the quiz-show, but just one day later the classics specialist was already back in France with his team. The mission? Equipment testing.

Van Aert was first beaten by radio-presenter Imane Boudadi, after which he battled with Ruben Van Gucht to stay in the game. The Sporza sports-commentator proved just a bit stronger, limiting Van Aert’s TV appearance to a single evening. But the timing worked out perfectly — because the next morning he could rejoin his team.

Visma | Lease a Bike traditionally holds a testing day on the cobbles of the Paris–Roubaix course every November. And this year was no exception. Wrapped up against the freezing cold, Van Aert and company rattled over the stones of Carrefour de l’Arbre, one of the most iconic and brutal sectors of the Hell of the North.

Through images of Het Laatste Nieuws, it was shown that Van Aert wasn’t alone: he set out with his trusted teammate Christophe Laporte, while new signings Timo Kielich and Aldo Taillieu were also present to test the equipment. Kielich was recently spotted training with Van Aert — he’s set to become an important support rider for his compatriot in the spring classics.

Van Aert was not alone there, saw Het Laatste Nieuws: he set out with his trusted companion Christophe Laporte, but newcomers Timo Kielich and Aldo Taillieu were also there to test the material. The former was already spotted the other day with the man from Herentals during a training ride: he will be an important pawn for his compatriot in the spring.

Visma | Lease a Bike is constantly searching for improvement and innovation. Last season, the team raced with the well-known GRAVAA tyre-pressure system during Paris–Roubaix. With that technology, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won her first Monument, and Van Aert also used the system. Still, retesting and refining the set-up certainly doesn’t hurt.

It wasn’t Van Aert’s only ride this week. Before appearing on De Slimste Mens, he headed out for a solid training session north of Antwerp — a 144-kilometre loop, partly crossing the Dutch border towards Bergen op Zoom. On Strava he jokingly called it ‘higher mathematics’, a clear hint at his upcoming TV appearance.