'It's survival of the fittest': Wout van Aert marks anniversary of leaving hospital after Tour injury with Strade Bianche title
The Belgian says this victory marks a year since he left hospital following his season-ending Tour de France crash
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Wout Van Aert says it's exactly one year since he returned home from hospital following his horrific crash in the time trial of the 2019 Tour de France, and what better way to celebrate than with victory at Strade Bianche.
The race has teased him up until now, with two third-place finishes, but he will sleep soundly having won only his second race back since the season-ending leg injury last year.
"I think it's now exactly a year ago that I was taken home after two weeks in hospital and if you told me then what was going to happen in one year maybe I wouldn't believe it at that point.
But yeah I always kept faith, or tried to keep faith, it was hard sometimes, but this is the satisfaction after hard work. But [the crash] was not the first thing on my mind after I finished, I think it's more when everyone asks me the question then of course you think about it than when you're in the race."
>>> ‘Sorry, it’s a bit dirty’: Ellen van Dijk borrows Koen de Kort’s bike for Strade Bianche
"I think maybe I can say I'm at the best level I've ever been, so it's more about focusing on the positives and not always thinking back."
The Jumbo-Visma rider looked comfortable as the leading group tackled the gravel roads around Siena, then launching his move 12km to go, solo-ing across the line, Max Schachmann and Davide Formolo's best efforts not able to pull him back.
"Of course, it's a big satisfaction to win this race, it's a special year for everyone and it's really nice to say after the first race back [I've won].
"I had in mind to not waste any chances and this is what I tried to do, I focused on this race a lot and it paid off.
"It was a really hard one, I think especially in the beginning it was quite difficult for me to be in position, keeping focus, I needed some time to get used to the peloton feeling again actually. I was really nervous and it was hard to keep on the road with all the difficulties in front of us. Especially my eyes will need a few days to recover also. But this race is a survival of the fittest I think."
In 2018 the video of Van Aert falling on the steep Siena streets was a defining memory of the race. Did the Belgian think back as this time he powered up the incline to victory?
"I thought for a second about it yeah, I can remember the feeling of how it was a few years ago. Eeveryone remembers the images, it goes better and better though, I think in a few years I'll fly up it."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Sven Nys says Tom Pidcock skipping cyclo-cross World title defence ‘makes sense’
‘An effort to win in Hoogerheide will cost so much’ says Belgian cyclocross legend on a course that favours Pidcock's rivals
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
CW Live: Dylan Groenewegen wins stage one of the Saudi Tour; teams announced for women's UAE Tour; British Cycling announce squad for upcoming UEC European Track Championships; Are Giant about to launch the 2023 Revolt X gravel bike?
All the need to know news in cycling this Monday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Sven Nys says Tom Pidcock skipping cyclo-cross World title defence ‘makes sense’
‘An effort to win in Hoogerheide will cost so much’ says Belgian cyclocross legend on a course that favours Pidcock's rivals
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel deserve big CX appearance fees, says British champ
British national champion says Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel receive high appearance fees for a reason
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert wins round 12 of the Men's Cyclocross World Cup in the Zonhoven sandpit
The early stages suggested it was going to be a battle between the top four, but Van Aert went clear and never looked back
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Wout van Aert claims most dominant cyclo-cross win of the season at X20 Trofee Koksijde
The Belgian mastered the sand ruts to beat Mathieu van der Poel by over a minute and a half
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wout van Aert comes out on top once more in battle of cyclocross ‘big three’ at Superprestige Diegem
Puck Pieterse victorious in women’s race in Diegem, Belgium
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published