Wout van Aert’s coach says he’s ‘currently good enough to compete, but not to win’
The Belgian star, currently training in Tenerife, has put on a lot of muscle during his cyclocross season


Wout van Aert’s coach says the Belgian star still has work to do before he can compete for victory in the Classics this year.
The Jumbo-Visma rider is currently on a training camp in Tenerife as he prepares for his road racing debut at Strade Bianche in early March.
Van Aert’s coach Marc Lamberts said the 26-year-old is currently strong enough to compete in the final of one-day races, but not to win, adding that Van Aert has gained a lot of muscle during his cyclocross winter.
Lamberts told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (opens in new tab): “I had hoped Wout had come to Tenerife with a slightly broader base.
“Wout’s level is good, but we need to improve. He is currently good enough to compete in finals, but not to win.”
Former cyclocross world champion Van Aert travelled to the Canary Island on February 8 and will continue training there until March 1, having finished his cyclocross season at the World Championships in late January.
While Van Aert will miss the Opening Weekend in Belgium later this month, he will start his Classics campaign in Italy with Strade Bianche, before heading to Tirreno-Adriatico and then racing a full spring Classics calendar.
After Tirreno, Van Aert will race Milan-San Remo, E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Then later in the season he will return to France for the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France, while he is also expected to make his debut in the Tour of Britain later in the season.
But Lamberts says his rider still has work to do if he wants to keep up with the likes of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step).
>>> Chris Froome posts final California training ride on Strava as he prepares for season debut
Lamberts added that Van Aert is two kilograms above his race weight, having gained a lot of muscle during his winter racing programme.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
The 40m high face of 'a friend I never met': how two fans are paying tribute to the late Chris Anker Sørensen
Up to 200 litres of paint used to create the mural of Anker Sørensen on a football pitch.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Dinosaurs instead of ducks: Rapha and Palace roll out cartoon critters with celebratory EF Education kit
The kit will be worn by both EF Education-Tibco-SVB and EF Education-EasyPost to celebrate the return of the Tour de France Femmes
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
London to host 2022-23 Cyclocross World Cup
The announcement raises the possibility of van der Poel, Van Aert and Vos making a winter appearance in London.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard to lead Jumbo-Visma at Tour de France
Full squad announced, with no spot for Rohan Dennis in eight-man team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Adam Yates out of Tour de Suisse with covid
Brit returns a positive test for coronavirus but the rest of Ineos Grenadiers will race on in Switzerland.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Van der Poel not targeting green jersey at Tour de France
Jasper Philipsen will be the main sprinter at Alpecin-Fenix
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Jumbo-Visma forced out of the Tour de Suisse due to Covid-19 case
Team says fresh positive will not effect Tour de France selection
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Can anyone stop the Jumbo juggernaut? Five talking points from the Critérium du Dauphiné
Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič are the best at the French race, but the Tour de France is another level up
By Adam Becket • Published
-
From the nadir to glory: Reliving Jumbo-Visma's 2021 Tour de France
Documentary shows how Dutch team lost leader Primož Roglič early on before going on to win four stages and finish on the podium in Paris
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'If even your GC guys who weigh 60 kilos are pulling, you have to finish it off' - No more disappointment for Wout van Aert at Dauphiné
Jumbo-Visma rider took his second stage win in five days in France on Thursday, and stays in race lead
By Adam Becket • Published