Wout van Aert apparently wants to ride Liège-Bastogne-Liège
After Covid interrupted his spring, the Belgian is hungry to race again


We still do not know if Wout van Aert will race Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, and yet the Belgian is reportedly keen to race Liège-Bastogne-Liège a week later.
The Jumbo-Visma rider was forced to miss the Tour of Flanders after testing positive for Covid, and while he has returned to training, it is not clear if he will ride the 'Hell of the North' this year.
As a result of missing Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race, two of his key targets of the year, Van Aert now wants to ride Liège for the first time, according to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
The fourth Monument of the year usually suits more climbing-focused riders, but Van Aert can climb, as he proved by winning the Mont Ventoux stage at the Tour de France last year.
The Belgian champion has also lasted until the final of other hilly one-day races, like the Olympic Games road race last year, and the World Championships in 2020. If Julian Alaphilippe can be considered a favourite for Liège, then it is possible Van Aert can challenge too.
He has never raced it before, usually ending his Classics campaign after the Amstel Gold Race; he has never raced Flèche Wallonne either, the other Walloon Classic.
Also on the startlist for Liège for Jumbo are Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard and Tiesj Benoot, so Van Aert would not be forced to carry the team on his own. Roglič won the race in 2020, and Benoot has twice finished in the top ten in the Ardennes race.
On Monday it was revealed that Van Aert has been asked not to share his training data on Strava ahead of the weekend, in order to prevent speculation.
General manager Richard Plugge clarified this decision, telling Het Laatste Neiuws (opens in new tab): “We want to prevent speculation."
Plugge said the decision on whether Van Aert will race Paris-Roubaix depends on the extensive testing he will undergo in the coming days, which will determine his race fitness and capabilities. While he understands asking Van Aert not to share his training data on Strava makes everyone - fans and media alike - extra curious, Plugge also doesn't want to place any extra pressure on Van Aert to return at Paris-Roubaix.
We will have to wait and see which race the Belgian appears at next.
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
Hello, I'm Cycling Weekly's senior news and features writer. I love road racing first and foremost, but my interests spread beyond that. I like sticking to the tarmac on my own bike, however.
Before joining the team here I wrote for Procycling for almost two years, interviewing riders and writing about racing.
Prior to covering the sport of cycling, I wrote about ecclesiastical matters for the Church Times and politics for Business Insider. I have degrees in history and journalism.
-
-
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder: the pros attend a summer camp unlike any other
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder: the pros attend a summer camp unlike any other. Mountain bikers Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Christopher Blevins win the five-day stage race in the Cascade Mountains.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Best workshop chain tools 2022 rated and reviewed
Seven workshop chain tools tested and evaluated
By Paul Grele • 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
-
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
-
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
-
Wout van Aert sprints to stage five victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné as break caught in final 100 metres
Belgian wins his second stage of race to maintain general classification lead
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I got beaten by the world champion' — Wout van Aert realistic after second consecutive second place
Jumbo-Visma rider loses by just 2 seconds to Filippo Ganna at the Critérium du Dauphiné
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Today I am the loser' — Wout van Aert rues celebrating early at Critérium du Dauphiné
Belgian took his arms off his bars and was pipped to the line by David Gaudu on stage three of the race
By Adam Becket • Published