Wout van Aert notices loose gravel during Tirreno stage recon: “I don’t know if they’ll still do anything about it”
CyclingMonday, 09 March 2026 at 18:01
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Follow us on GoogleWout van Aert was the first rider from his team to roll down the start ramp on Monday in the opening time trial of Tirreno-Adriatico. That was, of course, a deliberate choice, as it allows the Belgian to begin his recovery for day two earlier. After completing his ride, Van Aert told media including IDLProCycling.com how he is approaching the race.
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Van Aert took it relatively easy on an aero time trial setup with disc wheels over the 11.5-kilometre individual test between Lido di Camaiore and Viareggio. “Nothing special,” was his verdict at the finish. “Starting that early meant I could get a bit of extra rest afterwards. I felt fine, but I also started without any expectations. It was a good warm-up.”
“It was the plan to take it on in a fairly relaxed way and then look at it day by day,” the Visma | Lease a Bike rider explained. That starts on Tuesday, with the stage finishing in Lido di Camaiore. In the closing phase, the riders will face a gravel sector that also includes a fair amount of climbing.
“It’s a beautiful stage, but it will be tough at the end with that gravel. I’m looking forward to it,” Van Aert said. He had already gone to inspect the section on the day before Strade Bianche. “Back then it was very loose. I don’t know if they’re still going to do anything about it, but I think they added fresh gravel there relatively recently. It looked quite demanding.”
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Van Aert on this week's goals
That also means he is not entirely sure whether the finale will really suit him and the other punchier riders. “That doesn’t necessarily have to be the case, but it is a stage I marked out. That gravel section is really uphill, and after that it doesn’t really descend towards the finish, with a tricky final kilometre as well. Because the stage before it is easier, I do hope we can be in the mix. But it suits Isaac del Toro and riders like him as well.”
Van Aert did take confidence from his tenth place in Strade Bianche. “I was satisfied with that, and it’s something I can keep building on here in Tirreno-Adriatico. It’s going to be a tough week anyway, with a few long stages. There are a couple of stages where I want to go for my own chances and hope to fight for the win, but we’re also aiming for a strong general classification with Matteo Jorgenson.”
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
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- - Can someone explain how ProTeams get Tour invites? If Q5 aren’t automatic, what results do they need—UCI points, one-day wins, or stage race podiums? Confused how that process works.samanthak10-09-2026
- - Love the Edinburgh Grand Départ angle. If ASO is on the fence, a British TT champ in form plus Pidcock makes that wildcard case much stronger. Q5 look less like a ProTeam and more like a budding GC/ Classics hybrid.jennifer1910-09-2026
- - Not sure the piece nails the contract timing. Says “for 2027” but what about 2025–26? Is he staying at Soudal through 2026 even after being told no extension? Sounds a bit contradictory tbh.robert6510-09-2026
- - Huge if true. Hayter to Q5 alongside Pidcock, Wright and Gloag gives them a legit British core. With Glasenberg’s backing they’re clearly aiming at TdF wildcardHope he nails today’s TT after missing the Bilbao opener by09s—that’s been haunting him all Vuelta.tourdeforce910-09-2026
- - Love the honesty about hesitating because of Remco’s messages. Ego flattered but head ruled. That’s grown-up stuff. Vamos Tim, forza UAE!andrewf10-09-2026
- - “Brand team” line threw me. Does he mean title sponsor obligations? Either way, UAE pays the wages—totally get it. Bon courage Tim, allez!tourdeforce910-09-2026
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